Systems and methods for rapid risk assessment of chest pain, reducing patient wait time and improving workflow in the emergency department

Abstract

A rapid chest pain risk assessment system includes an assessor, a computed tomography (CT) scanner, an electrocardiogram device for providing electrocardiogram related data, and an enzyme analyzer for analyzing the patient's blood. A computer enabled risk calculator categorizes the patients into low, intermediate, and high risk categories. The computer enabled risk calculator, using data from electrocardiogram, blood analyzer and patient's age, other risk factors and history, automatically generates orders for patients in low and intermediate risk categories to undergo a CT scan. A CAC analyzer using the computer file for analyzing the CT scan results then provides a CAC score based on those CT scan results. A risk score based on electrocardiogram, blood analyzer and patient's age, other risk factors and history of symptoms plus the CAC score is generated. Patients that are automatically assessed as being very low risk based on the risk score are recommended for discharge from the emergency room thereby lowering the unnecessary prolonged ER stay time.