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Investigation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at Hutt Valley Hospital with CT Pulmonary Angiography: Current Practice and Opportunities for Improvement
Joint Authors
Kennedy, Nick
Jayathissa, Sisira
Healy, P.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-03-01
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Aims.
To study the use of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) at Hutt Hospital and investigate the use of pretest probability scoring in the assessment of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).
Methods.
We studied patients with suspected PE that underwent CTPA between January and May 2012 and collected data on demographics, use of pretest probability scoring, and use of D Dimer and compared our practice with the British Thoracic Society (BTS) guideline.
Results.
105 patients underwent CTPA and 15% of patients had PE.
13% of patients had a Wells score prior to their scan.
Wells score calculated by researchers revealed 54%, 36%, and 8% patients had low, medium, and high risk pretest probabilities and 8%, 20%, and 50% of these patients had positive scans.
D Dimer was performed in 58% of patients and no patients with a negative D Dimer had a PE.
Conclusion.
The CTPA positive rate was similar to other contemporary studies but lower than previous New Zealand studies and some international guidelines.
Risk stratification of suspected PE using Wells score and D Dimer was underutilised.
A number of scans could have been safely avoided by using accepted guidelines reducing resources use and improving patient safety.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Kennedy, Nick& Jayathissa, Sisira& Healy, P.. 2015. Investigation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at Hutt Valley Hospital with CT Pulmonary Angiography: Current Practice and Opportunities for Improvement. Advances in Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1052651
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Kennedy, Nick…[et al.]. Investigation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at Hutt Valley Hospital with CT Pulmonary Angiography: Current Practice and Opportunities for Improvement. Advances in Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1052651
American Medical Association (AMA)
Kennedy, Nick& Jayathissa, Sisira& Healy, P.. Investigation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism at Hutt Valley Hospital with CT Pulmonary Angiography: Current Practice and Opportunities for Improvement. Advances in Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1052651
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1052651