Inconsistent electrocardiographic testing for syncope in United States emergency departments.
The electrocardiogram has diagnostic and prognostic value in the evaluation of syncope, and consensus guidelines suggest routine electrocardiographic testing. An analysis of a nationally representative survey suggests that electrocardiographic testing is performed inconsistently in patients presenting with syncope to United States emergency departments, even in high-risk patients, such as the elderly and hospitalized. Variation in electrocardiographic testing represents an opportunity to improve the care of patients presenting with syncope to emergency departments.
Sun
Benjamin C
BC
Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. bsun@fas.harvard.edu
Emond
Jennifer A
JA
Camargo
Carlos A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology