title: [Practices for hospital discharge of patients with pulmonary embolism in university and central hospital emergency call services].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The recommendation to discharge low-risk pulmonary embolism patients from or after a brief monitoring in the emergency department has not been widely adopted in Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  We explored the practices for examination and treatment of patients with pulmonary embolism in a university hospital and a central hospital. An assessment was made on how these practices followed the risk classifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A very small proportion (3.9%) of the patients were discharged directly from the emergency department. According to the risk classifications, the proportion of patients suited for home care would have been between 30 and 60%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of patients with pulmonary embolism can be treated on the outpatient basis.
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huttunen
authors.forename: Tuula
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meinander
authors.forename: Mikko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lintu
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mustonen
authors.forename: Veli-Pekka
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Harjola
mesh_terms: D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005387:Finland; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000628:therapy*; D018570:Risk Assessment