Lukas Helbig1, Britta Stier2, Claudia Römer2, Maik Kilian3, Anna Slagman2, Angelika Behrens4, Vera Stiehr4, Jörn Ole Vollert2, Ulrike Bachmann2, Martin Möckel5. 1. Akut- und Notfallmedizin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. lukas.helbig@charite.de. 2. Akut- und Notfallmedizin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. 3. Abteilung für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Evangelische Elisabeth Klinik Berlin, Lützowstraße 26, 10785, Berlin, Deutschland. 4. Abteilung für Innere Medizin, Gastroenterologie und Pneumologie, Evangelische Elisabeth Klinik Berlin, Lützowstraße 26, 10785, Berlin, Deutschland. 5. Akut- und Notfallmedizin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland. martin.moeckel@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with atraumatic abdominal pain are common in the emergency department and have a relatively high hospital mortality, with a very wide spectrum of different causes. Rapid, goal-directed diagnosis is essential in this context. METHODS: In a Delphi process with representatives of different disciplines, a diagnostic treatment pathway was designed, which is called the Abdominal Pain Unit (APU). RESULTS: The treatment pathway was designed as an extended event process chain. Crucial decision points were specified using standard operating procedures. DISCUSSION: The APU treatment pathway establishes a consistent treatment structure for patients with atraumatic abdominal pain. It has the potential to improve the quality of care and reduce intrahospital mortality over the long term.
BACKGROUND: Patients with atraumatic abdominal pain are common in the emergency department and have a relatively high hospital mortality, with a very wide spectrum of different causes. Rapid, goal-directed diagnosis is essential in this context. METHODS: In a Delphi process with representatives of different disciplines, a diagnostic treatment pathway was designed, which is called the Abdominal Pain Unit (APU). RESULTS: The treatment pathway was designed as an extended event process chain. Crucial decision points were specified using standard operating procedures. DISCUSSION: The APU treatment pathway establishes a consistent treatment structure for patients with atraumatic abdominal pain. It has the potential to improve the quality of care and reduce intrahospital mortality over the long term.
Authors: Apostolos Pappas; Hariklia Toutouni; Stavros Gourgiotis; Charalampos Seretis; Ilias Koukoutsis; Ioannis Chrysikos; George Gemenetzis; Ioannis Matzoukas; George Karavitis; Emmanouil Lagoudianakis Journal: J Clin Med Res Date: 2013-06-21