The importance of medical history taking in evaluating and monitoring needs in suspected myocardial infarction
Jonsbu, J.; Aase, O.
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening Tidsskrift for Praktisk Medicin Ny Raekke 110(9): 1067-1070
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-2001 PMID: 2330563 Document Number: 367349
In patients referred to the hospital with a suspicion of acute myocardial infarctions immediate diagnostic accuracy is improved by using a strictly standardized case history upon admission. Thus, the number of patients with proven acute myocardial infarctions erroneously referred to a general ward instead of to the coronary care unit wound have been reduced by one third, and unnecessary referral to the coronary care unit of patients in whom acute myocardial infarctions were not diagnosed would have been reduced by the same amount. Our study emphasizes the important of obtaining a thorough, standardized case history in patients with suspected acute myocardial infarctions. This would improve both patient care and the optimal use of coronary care unit facilities.