Point-of-care D-dimer testing in emergency departments

Emergency Nurse : the Journal of the RCN Accident and Emergency Nursing Association
Udo Marquardt, Daniel Apau

Abstract

Overcrowding and prolonged patient stays in emergency departments (EDs) affect patients' experiences and outcomes, and increase healthcare costs. One way of addressing these problems is through using point-of-care blood tests, laboratory testing undertaken near patient locations with rapidly available results. D-dimer tests are used to exclude venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common presentation in EDs, in low-risk patients. However, data on the effects of point-of-care D-dimer testing in EDs and other urgent care settings are scarce. This article reports the results of a literature review that examined the benefits to patients of point-of-care D-dimer testing in terms of reduced turnaround times (time to results), and time to diagnosis, discharge or referral. It also considers the benefits to organisations in relation to reduced ED crowding and increased cost effectiveness. The review concludes that undertaking point-of-care D-dimer tests, combined with pre-test probability scores, can be a quick and safe way of ruling out VTE and improving patients' experience.

Citations

Mar 27, 2016·Laboratory Medicine·Roger S RileyRichard A McPherson
Nov 25, 2017·Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences·Christopher FlorkowskiAnnalise Zemlin
Jan 30, 2019·Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences·Julien FavresseFrançois Mullier
Oct 15, 2020·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·Hyung-Doo Park
May 2, 2020·Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·Jan NiederdöcklHans Domanovits

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Emergency Nursing : JEN : Official Publication of the Emergency Department Nurses Association
G M HutskoL Danielson
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology : the Journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
M S ToC Nelson-Piercy
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved