Overview

Emergency departments (ED) internationally are treating an increasing number of patients.

Most require hospital services but some could be better cared for on alternative pathways.

D-dimer has some unique properties. It is non-specific and is elevated in many acute condi- tions; but conversely remains normal in the absence of significant disease. Previous studies have shown that having a normal D-dimer on arrival to the emergency department is associated with a very low risk of 30-day all-cause mortality.

The investigators propose a multicenter randomized controlled trial using D-dimer to identify patients at low risk and test if providing this information will change time to discharge disposition by the treating physician.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 or above
• Able to provide oral and written informed consent in Danish
• Blood tests ordered on arrival as part of standard of care
• Ambulatory on arrival or walking to the ambulance (i.e., stable independent gait)
• Normal vital signs (i.e., National Early Warning Score < 3)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable condition requiring immediate care in the resuscitation area
• Triage level red (i.e., the most urgent patients)
• Trauma (minor and major) patients
• High likelihood of requiring a D-dimer analysis on clinical indications during the current hospital contact (e.g., suspected venous thromboembolic disease) that will be ordered on arrival regardless of this study
• Previous participation in the study