SGEM#324 - By admin - March 27, 2021
Reference: Schuster et al. Spirometry not pain level predicts outcomes in geriatric patients with isolated rib fractures. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020
“CLINICAL QUESTION: CAN SPIROMETRY TESTING IDENTIFY PATIENTS 60 YEARS AND OLDER WITH AT LEAST THREE RIB FRACTURES WHO CAN SAFELY BE DISCHARGED HOME FROM THE ED?
KEY RESULTS: HIGHER SPIROMETRY VALUES AND GRIP-STRENGTH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL
SGEM BOTTOM LINE: SPIROMETRY REPRESENTS AN INTERESTING PROGNOSTIC TOOL FOR OLDER PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE RIB FRACTURES, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH HIGH-QUALITY EVIDENCE FOR IT TO GUIDE US IN DISCHARGING PATIENTS HOME DIRECTLY FROM THE ED.”