[Abdominal pain].
The doctor on duty conducting home visits is frequently asked to care for patients with non-traumatic severe abdominal pain. For this reason, visiting doctors should be able to recognize tell-tale alarm signs, evaluate ailments that call for surgical referral to--particularly those that require emergency surgery--and, if necessary, perform simple paraclinical exams at the patient's bedside. In the case of intense abdominal pain requiring a rapid and effective "analgesia", the doctor should be able to administer an opiate, without of the surgical unit impairing the judgement. When hospitalisation or referral for surgery is not necessary, a re-evaluation at 12 to 36 hours later should be offered.
Policlinique Médicale Universitaire, César-Roux 19, 1005 Lausanne.
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Beer
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Bettschart
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors