Chest pain in the accident and emergency department: is chest radiography worthwhile?
Four per cent of patients attend the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) present with chest pain. In this prospective study of 297 patients the value of chest radiography is assessed. Overall, 23% of chest X-rays (CXRs) had an abnormality which influenced management of the patient, rising to 40% in those patients admitted to Coronary Care. Twenty-nine per cent of CXRs were misinterpreted by Casualty Officers but resulted in the mismanagement of only six patients (3.3%). Potentially serious errors were averted by early CXR audit by a Radiologist.
Templeton
P A
PA
Accident and Emergency Department, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
McCallion
W A
WA
McKinney
L A
LA
Wilson
H K
HK
D002637:Chest Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography / Q000592:standards*