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. Physicians responding to this survey 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 ACP Smart Medicine: Syncope for tables to review these issues. Review the algorithm provided in the "Figures" section.