Lumbar punctures in the Acute Medicine Department: indications and evaluation of use
D'Cruz, R.F.M.; Vellore, A.Dev.
Acute Medicine 13(3): 113-117
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1747-4884 PMID: 25229061 Document Number: 13414
Evaluate the use of lumbar puncture (LP) in the Acute Medical Department of a typical urban district general hospital. Increase the proportion performed on appropriate patients. An observational, single-centre, retrospective examination of patients undergoing LP at Solihull Hospital over four consecutive months. Discussion of findings and LP indications with the Acute Medicine Department. Re-audit over four months. Total LPs performed fell by 65%. The proportion performed on patients presenting with red flags rose by 19% (p=0.0098). The proportion that yielded positive findings rose by 33% (p<0.0001). 72% of patients with red flags had negative LP. Awareness of indications and observation of practice reduces total LPs performed and increases the proportion performed on appropriate patients.
Document emailed within 1 workday
