Hand-held computer may help improve pulmonary embolism diagnosis

Wednesday 18th November 2009

Researchers are testing a new handheld device which could improve diagnostic decision-making.

Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition most often caused by a blood clot breaking off from a vein and entering the circulatory system.

While evidence-based guidelines exist to help physicians safely and efficiently evaluate patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, testing often differs from what is suggested.

Researchers sought to determine if a computer program for use on a mobile, handheld device could improve diagnostic decision-making.

During a pre-intervention phase involving 20 centers and 1,103 patients, healthcare providers grew accustomed to inputting clinical data into handheld devices and investigators assessed baseline testing.

Then, the 20 centers were randomised to make diagnostic decisions based on the handheld devices (10 centers, 753 patients) or based on posters and pocket cards that clearly stated evidence-based guidelines (10 centers, 1,015 patients).

The researchers concluded that use of an electronic decision support system available on handheld computers significantly improved diagnostic decision making over paper guidelines, increasing the proportion of patients who received appropriate diagnostic work-up by 19.3 percent.

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