This useful handbook provides a concise compilation of the evidencesupporting diagnostic testing and clinical decision rules inemergency care. Clinical decision rules are now widely recognisedas best practice for the ordering of diagnostic tests in theemergency department.
Aimed at all physicians working with emergency and acute patients,the book begins with an overview of how to evaluate a diagnostictest using an evidence-based approach, followed by an explanationof the clinical decision rules and the methods of assessing thestrength and applicability of the clinical prediction rule.
These introductory chapters are followed by sections covering thefollowing clinical areas:
* Traumatic Injuries
* Cardiology
* Infectious Disease
* Surgical and Abdominal Complaints
* Urology
* Neurology
* Ophthalmology, Hematology, Rheumatology
* Pulmonology.
For each test and clinical decision rule, the most current and bestavailable studies in the literature are discussed and applied toemergency department and acute care patients in addressing thequestion at hand, followed by an overall recommendation on how touse the test or rule in the clinical context.
Evidence-Based Emergency Care is an accessible and extremely usefulreference for physicians at all levels to use in applying anevidence-based approach to ordering and interpreting tests in anacute care environment.
Jesse M. Pines
Emergency Medicine & Trauma Evidence-Based Health Care Evidenzbasierte Forschung im Gesundheitswesen Medical Science Medizin Notfallmedizin Notfallmedizin u. Traumatologie
?Until now there has been a paucity of truly evidence-basedguidance for diagnostic and clinical decision making in the ED.Pines and Everett have smartly aggregated a substantial body ofinformation into a compact textbook format for emergencypractitioners.? ( Annals of Emergency Medicine, September2009)
?Presentation of clinical examples and the comprehensivediscussion of current decision rules as worked out from theliterature will appeal not only to those working in emergencymedicine but also to those involved in developing clinicalguidelines.? (Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, November2008)
?Evidence based Emergency Care has a strong place in currentpractice. The authors review a large number of clinical decisionrules and studies comparing diagnostic modalities? (RespiratoryCare, June 2009)
?The chapter structure works very well and the author commentaryprovides a useful bottom-line conclusion and practical insight. Thebook is well organized and well written, with sufficient depth toaddress each of the clinical diagnostic questions. The authorsprovide a balanced, evidence-based approach that encourages readersto review relevant data and draw their own conclusions. Overall,emergency medicine and critical care pharmacists will find this auseful pocket-sized diagnostic testing and clinical decisionguide.? (Annals of Pharmacotherapy, December 2008)
?This practical guide will be useful to anyone practicingemergency medicine. The authors are well regarded, board-certifiedemergency medicine physicians. The authors do an excellent job ofproviding clinically relevant evidence that we can use to supportour daily decisions in the emergency department. Provide[s] a goodsummary of clinically useful information that will help each of usto make better informed, evidence-based decisions.? (Doody'sBook Reviews, November 2008)
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