Analyzing Annals: Overuse of Testing in Preoperative Evaluation and Syncope: A Survey of Hospitalists
Unnecessary testing wastes limited resources and may expose patients to harm. reported substantial overuse of testing despite clinical guidelines and evidence, often motivated by a desire to provide reassurance to patients, family members, or themselves.
Use this Annals of Internal Medicine study to:
- Generate a differential diagnosis of syncope. What are the features of neurocardiogenic syncope?
- What studies should be ordered in which patients? Do all patients with syncope require an ECG? An echo? Which ones require neurologic testing?
- Use for tables to review these issues. Review the algorithm provided in the "Figures" section.