Abstract
Objective: We started to use an urgent reporting system for abnormal electrocardiograms seen in health check-ups, and investigated its operation.
Methods: When they observe abnormalities during the recording of electrocardiograms, medical technologists fill out an urgent report sheet giving details of the electrocardiographic diagnosis, the symptoms, history of treatment and prescriptions, and any changes from previous electrocardiograms. They then report promptly to the duty doctor for the day. We then ask whether we should continue the other examinations or not. In this study, we investigated further developments in the situations of people subject to urgent reports.
Results: A total of 132,577 subjects, including previous examinees, came to our health screening center to undergo electrocardiography as part of a health check-up from July 2012 to February 2015. Twenty-five of them came under the urgent report category. Fifteen were examined by the doctor, the upper gastrointestinal contrast study was cancelled for 6, and 8 were referred to cardiovascular specialists at this hospital on the day or the next day. Of these 25 urgent report examinees, 10 could be followed-up. One was diagnosed with 90% coronary artery stenosis and underwent PCI. Another needed to have a pacemaker implanted. Five underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation, and 3 started taking medication or became follow-up patients.
Conclusion: These results suggest that our urgent report system contributes to securing the safety of people who come for check-ups and allows entry into early phase treatment when necessary.
