School of Medicine and Health Sciences Poster Presentations
Creating Emergency Department Point-of-Care Testing Protocols: An Expert Panel and Delphi Process
Poster Number
206
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
3-2016
Abstract
In recent years, point-of-care (POC) testing has gained popularity in emergency departments (EDs) to facilitate rapid laboratory test results 1 2 3 4 . Despite increasing popularity, few studies have addressed POC use early in ED care, specifically around ED triage. Availability of laboratory testing may help risk-stratify patients by providing additional information early in ED care. In a prospective study, triage POC testing changed patient management in 14% of cases, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage level in 15%, and 56% found POC testing to be helpful in the triage process [5] . In addition, POC may hasten ED care through early ordering of symptom appropriate diagnostic tests—a process called rapid posttriage assessment [6 7] .
In this project, we convened an expert panel to identify priorities for ED POC testing and created 2 protocols intended for early care of ED patients. One protocol focuses on early prioritization for time-sensitive conditions, and a second is a rapid posttriage assessment POC protocol.
We convened a technical expert panel and used a Delphi process to create 2 protocols for ED POC testing. The goal was to seek input to develop these protocols using a consensus-seeking methodology using expert guidance followed by multiple rounds of structured questionnaires. In our study, we used 2 rounds of structured questionnaires to solicit opinions; resolve areas disagreement; and, where possible, achieve consensus. The protocols were designed to aid nurses in deciding which POC to order for ED patients with specific symptoms.
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Open Access
1
Creating Emergency Department Point-of-Care Testing Protocols: An Expert Panel and Delphi Process
In recent years, point-of-care (POC) testing has gained popularity in emergency departments (EDs) to facilitate rapid laboratory test results 1 2 3 4 . Despite increasing popularity, few studies have addressed POC use early in ED care, specifically around ED triage. Availability of laboratory testing may help risk-stratify patients by providing additional information early in ED care. In a prospective study, triage POC testing changed patient management in 14% of cases, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage level in 15%, and 56% found POC testing to be helpful in the triage process [5] . In addition, POC may hasten ED care through early ordering of symptom appropriate diagnostic tests—a process called rapid posttriage assessment [6 7] .
In this project, we convened an expert panel to identify priorities for ED POC testing and created 2 protocols intended for early care of ED patients. One protocol focuses on early prioritization for time-sensitive conditions, and a second is a rapid posttriage assessment POC protocol.
We convened a technical expert panel and used a Delphi process to create 2 protocols for ED POC testing. The goal was to seek input to develop these protocols using a consensus-seeking methodology using expert guidance followed by multiple rounds of structured questionnaires. In our study, we used 2 rounds of structured questionnaires to solicit opinions; resolve areas disagreement; and, where possible, achieve consensus. The protocols were designed to aid nurses in deciding which POC to order for ED patients with specific symptoms.
Comments
Presented at: GW Research Days 2016