Multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response teams and systems.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complex diagnosis that encompasses a wide range of clinical presentations. Often patients who present with PE have complicated medical histories which can make their management challenging. Many novel therapeutic strategies and tools are emerging to improve the care and outcomes of patients with PE. Pulmonary embolism response teams (PERTs) are developing at multiple centers to improve the decision making, efficiency and orchestration of these clinical strategies. Concordantly with development of PERT programs is the design and implementation of systems to allow for numerous specialists to convene and discuss complex PE patients in real time. The mechanisms to engage a multidisciplinary approach are proving to be an invaluable resource in the decision making processes and treatment of high risk PE patients. Ultimately, other multi-disciplinary teams may adopt these methods to better address their clinical needs.