title: A simple method for evaluating the safety of high-yield criteria.
abstract: High-yield criteria for selecting patients for further investigation or treatment sometimes may be associated with an increase in the false-negative rate (decrease in sensitivity), when compared with conventional methods of selection. A simple method, suitable for use by nonstatisticians, is presented. It enables the determination of the sample size required to measure the false-negative rate to a given degree of precision, or the smallest increase in false-negative rate that a study of a given size is likely to detect. Examples of use are provided.
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D004630:Emergencies; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics; D010146:Pain; D011859:Radiography; D012107:Research Design; D012306:Risk; D013909:Thorax