Diagnostic algorithm for COVID-19 at the ER/ Diagnostisch algoritme voor COVID-19 op de SEH

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of a diagnostic algorithm for estimating the risk of COVID-19 in patients who are referred to an emergency department for being suspected of having the disease DESIGN: Retrospective study METHOD: Patients with fever with no apparent cause and patients with recently developed respiratory symptoms, whether or not in combination with fever, were routinely given a PCR test, blood tests (lymphocyte count and LDH levels) and a chest CT scan The CT scan was assessed according to the CO-RADS classification Based on the findings, the patients were divided into 3 cohorts (proven COVID-19, strong suspicion of COVID-19, and low suspicion of COVID-19) and the appropriate isolation measures were taken RESULTS: In the period from 8 to 31 March 2020, the algorithm was applied to 312 patients COVID-19 was proven for 69 (22%) patients COVID-19 was strongly suspected for 151 (48%) patients and suspicion was low for the remaining 92 (29%) patients The percentage of patients with positive PCR results and the percentage of patients with abnormal laboratory test results increased as the CO-RADS score increased Among patients with a CO-RADS score of 4 or 5, this percentage increased further when they also had lymphopenia or elevated LDH levels We have adjusted the flowchart based on our findings CONCLUSION: In case of patients who have been referred to an emergency department for suspected COVID-19, a good COVID-19 risk assessment can be made on the basis of clinical signs, laboratory abnormalities and low-dose CT scans Even before the results of the PCR test are known and even if the results are negative, patients can be classified as \u0027proven COVID-19 patients\u0027 using the algorithm