TY - JOUR
T1 - Real-time B-mode ultrasound in the ED saves time in the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
AU - Theodoro, Daniel
AU - Blaivas, Michael
AU - Duggal, Sandeep
AU - Snyder, Graham
AU - Lucas, Michael
PY - 2004/5
Y1 - 2004/5
N2 - We hypothesize that EPs can decrease the time to disposition when performing examinations for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) compared with disposition times using imaging specialists (IS). We performed a prospective, single-blind observational study at an academic ED over the course of 1 year. Patients were enrolled based on study physician availability. EPs ordered the corroborative ultrasound, then performed their own examination. EPs recorded patient triage time, ED results, and disposition times for both EP and IS departments. One hundred fifty-six patients were enrolled. Thirty-four (22%) were diagnosed with a DVT. Mean time from triage to EP disposition was 95 minutes and mean time from triage to radiology disposition was 220 minutes. The difference of 125 minutes was statistically significant (P <.0001). EPs and ISs had excellent agreement (kappa = 0.9). Compression ultrasound performed by EPs resulted in a significant decreased time to disposition. Agreement with ISs was excellent.
AB - We hypothesize that EPs can decrease the time to disposition when performing examinations for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) compared with disposition times using imaging specialists (IS). We performed a prospective, single-blind observational study at an academic ED over the course of 1 year. Patients were enrolled based on study physician availability. EPs ordered the corroborative ultrasound, then performed their own examination. EPs recorded patient triage time, ED results, and disposition times for both EP and IS departments. One hundred fifty-six patients were enrolled. Thirty-four (22%) were diagnosed with a DVT. Mean time from triage to EP disposition was 95 minutes and mean time from triage to radiology disposition was 220 minutes. The difference of 125 minutes was statistically significant (P <.0001). EPs and ISs had excellent agreement (kappa = 0.9). Compression ultrasound performed by EPs resulted in a significant decreased time to disposition. Agreement with ISs was excellent.
KW - Compression ultrasound
KW - Cost savings
KW - Deep venous thrombosis
KW - Emergency medicine
KW - Emergency ultrasound
KW - Time savings
KW - Ultrasound
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=2442716559&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.02.007
DO - 10.1016/j.ajem.2004.02.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 15138956
AN - SCOPUS:2442716559
SN - 0735-6757
VL - 22
SP - 197
EP - 200
JO - American Journal of Emergency Medicine
JF - American Journal of Emergency Medicine
IS - 3
ER -