To reduce unnecessary admissions in hospitals for chest pains, researchers at the University of Manchester have found that an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood test done along with clinical diagnosis can be used to determine the need for hospitalization.
Researchers state that clinical judgment coupled with an ECG and blood test could prevent 25 percent of needless hospitalization for chest pain that remains the most common reason for emergency hospital admissions.
For the study, Dr Richard Body from Manchester Royal Infirmary hospital and colleagues examined diagnostic accuracy of clinical judgment for acute coronary syndromes made by emergency doctors. They assessed the doctor's diagnosis based on combination with tests like ECG and a blood test that detects a protein called troponin.
Researchers then compared this data with patients' results, including heart attack or the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events within 30 days.
The analysis showed that for patients who were believed to have an ACS or acute coronary syndrome, clinical judgment by itself was not enough to arrive at a correct diagnosis, researchers explained in a press release.
But, the team found that in a combination with ECG and troponin test, clinical judgment acted as an effective tool. The results showed that at least 25 percent of patient admissions were preventable
Researchers explained that this was seen irrespective of whether the clinician was a consultant or junior doctor.
"If initial tests are normal and the doctor thinks that the diagnosis of a heart attack is unlikely, it may be perfectly safe to reassure patients that they do not have a heart attack," said Rick Body, honorary lecturer in cardiovascular medicine at University of Manchester.
The research findings were published in the Emergency Medicine Journal.
