Author/Editor		Mihelin, Marjan; Grgič, Milan; Zidar, Janez
Title		Odločitvena pravila za elektronsko triažo
Type		članek
Source		In: Zdravje na informacijski poti. Zbornik kongresa Slovenskega društva za medicinsko informatiko; 2006 apr 9-11; Zreče. Ljubljana: Slovensko društvo za medicinsko informatiko,
Publication year		2006
Volume		str. 177-83
Language		slo
Abstract		At the University of Ljubljana Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology (ICN), the waiting list for electromyography (EMG) has been getting longer despite more examinations being performed every year and despite the efforts to improve clinical judgment for referral: in more than half of patients EMG results are namely normal and in 60% of others, the diagnosis is carpal tunnel syndrome. In 2005, the ICN joined the Ministry of health in its efforts for a general shortening of waiting lists by proposing a project of electronic triage of those referred for EMG: upon the answers to a set of questions (in a decision tree set-up based on a clinical study by Podnar 2003), the patients would be classified into several classes of "urgency" and "clinical relevance" of the examination. In the first phase of study, having answered to the questions, all the patients will be clinically as well as electromyographically examined and - if needed - referred, for other tests and examinations until the final diagnosis is reached. By parametric and non-parametric tests, electronic decisions for or against EMG will be assessed regarding the clinical outcome. In case of discrepancy, electronic decision making would be amended and then re-tested. In the second phase, the questionnaire will be offered to all the patients. Two-fold benefit - shortening of the waiting list and the time to final diagnosis - is expected in both groups: those who do not need EMG would skip an unnecessary test, while those in whom it is indicated, would get it performed in a shorter time.
Descriptors		NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES ELECTROMYOGRAPHY WAITING LISTS COMPUTER COMMUNICATION NETWORKS REFERRAL AND CONSULTATION TRIAGE