Emergency Medicine: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Pathology Testing in Emergency Department

Smriti Agnihotri and Arun Kumar Agnihotri

Dealing of medical emergencies and better patient care with good outcomes hugely depends on the timely asked pathology test reports. However pathology should be used only for the urgent issues and not for the non urgent complaints leading to associated morbidity. It is the responsibility of junior doctors and medical emergency doctors to assess the magnitude of urgent problem, making diagnosis and order for those pathology tests that can help in supporting the diagnosis and further management of patient. This will ensure the best timely help to the patient and will reduce the burden of pathology labs. This article will add and emphasize the knowledge of right test at the right time on the right patient. Most efficient way for the best patient care and better utilization of laboratory services is to order the tests required, in a single collection. To minimize the wasteful testing in emergencies, STAT tests have been described. These tests should be urgently done for the diagnosis and treatment of patient as any delay can be life threatening. Results for the tests should be ready within the span of one hour or less.