Awhile back Aidan Baron (@Aidan_Baron) tweeted, "If you
can't explain the pre-test probability, then you don't get to pick
up the ultrasound.. no stats-no scan."
This got me thinking about the way we approach testing in the
pre-hospital setting. Are we performing EKG's, POC Labs, Ultrasound
scans, and screens on patients just because we need to check off a
box on our PCR, or do we truly believe the pre-test probably
is high enough to justify the test?
My thought process had always been that this is a way of
triaging your mental bandwidth, and that it was only applicable
when seeing more than just one patient. A physician, PA, or NP
could not physically perform every test on every person without
complications and decreased attention to top tier priorities.
In this podcast Chip Lange from TOTAL EM, and
I discuss if pre-test probability and risk stratification is
applicable to EMS.
www.foamfrat.com
About the Podcast
Prehospital emergency and critical care podcast by Tyler Christifulli & Sam Ireland