How frequently are physiological variables recorded in the emergency room in patients with obstructive pulmonary diseases and pneumonia?

Abstract

Aim: To assess how frequently measurements of relevant physiological variables are made in patients presenting acutely to hospital with obstructive pulmonary diseases (OPD) and pneumonia.Methods: Patients admitted to three hospitals in western Norway with OPD (asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and/or pneumonia over a 75-day period were included in the study. The assessing physicians in the emergency room (ER) were asked to measure and record physiological variables according to normal practice.Results: There were 338 patients (54% women), with an average age of 64 (SD 19) years. The initial diagnoses were OPD (176), pneumonia (103) and a combination of OPD and pneumonia (59). Heart rate and body temperature were recorded in almost all patients, whereas the recording of all other variables varied from 45% to 91%. Most variables were recorded more frequently in OPD than in pneumonia. Conclusions:The importance of recording respiratory rate, cutaneous oxygen saturation, and peak expiratory flow should be stressed in the training of physicians.

Studying the burden of community-acquired pneumonia in adults aged ⩾50 years in primary health care: an observational study in rural Crete, Greece

“…No significant gender differences were found. Our results were similar to other studies that showed equal CAP male to female ratios 24 , 25 and contrary to another primary care study where women were disproportionately diagnosed with pneumonia. 19 Significant differences were observed in our study in terms of alcohol and smoking, indicating a male predominance.…”

Appropriateness of diagnostic effort in hospital emergency room attention for episodes of COPD exacerbation

“…Our study shows that the records at emergency hospital departments do not systematically reflect variables that are crucial to diagnostic management. However, it should be borne in mind that in our study sample, the percentage of patients given a test of arterial blood gases (89%) is higher than that reported in other studies [5,25,26], and similar to that obtained in the AudiPOC 2012 national prevalence study (90%) [13]. Haegstad et al .…”

“…However, it should be borne in mind that in our study sample, the percentage of patients given a test of arterial blood gases (89%) is higher than that reported in other studies [5,25,26], and similar to that obtained in the AudiPOC 2012 national prevalence study (90%) [13]. Haegstad et al found that the diagnostic procedures least commonly performed in the emergency room were cutaneous oxygen saturation and peak expiratory flow [26]. In a recent comprehensive study by Roberts et al (2013), which included 384 hospitals in 13 countries, it was found that the failure to obtain spirometry results and the inconsistent use of oxygen and non-invasive ventilation were areas in need of improvement for COPD patients [27].…”

“…Haegstad et al . found that the diagnostic procedures least commonly performed in the emergency room were cutaneous oxygen saturation and peak expiratory flow [26]. In a recent comprehensive study by Roberts et al .…”