Sonography in an Unselected Population of Acute Admitted Patients With Respiratory Symptoms
Sonography in an Unselected Population of Acute Admitted Patients With Respiratory Symptoms
The purpose of this study is to determine whether focused sonography of the heart, lungs and
 deep veins can increase the number of patients with respiratory symptoms correctly diagnosed
 in an emergency department.
Inclusion criteria:

 All 4 of the following must be present:

 1. The sonographic examination can be performed before or within 1 hour after the primary
 evaluation

 2. Patient is 18 years or older

 3. Patient able and willing to give informed consent

 4. One ore more of the following symptoms or clinical findings at admission to the
 emergency department

 -  Respiratory rate > 20 breaths per minute

 -  Saturation < 95%

 -  Oxygen therapy initiated

 -  The patient has a principal complaint of dyspnoea

 -  The patient has a principal complaint of coughing

 -  The patient has a principal complaint of chest pain

 Exclusion Criteria:

 One of the following:

 1. The sonographic examination can not be performed within 1 hour after the primary
 evaluation

 2. The patient is 17 years or younger

 3. The patient not able or willing to give informed consent