Community-acquired pneumonia - use of chest x-rays for diagnosis in family practice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

According to guidelines, the diagnosis of pneumonia should be confirmed by chest x-ray, ensuring appropriate management and wise use of antibiotics. Our study aimed to describe use of x-rays by family doctors and patients following diagnosis of pneumonia in primary care practices in the north of Israel.

Methods

This was a retrospective database study including adults diagnosed with pneumonia, assessing rates of referral and actual use of chest x-rays. We examined rates of referral for chest x-rays and rates of adherence to the referral, according to age, gender, smoking status, comorbidities and distance of residence from the radiology facility.

Results

During one year there were 4,230 diagnosed cases of pneumonia in the practice, of which 2,503 were referr

SUBMITTER: Eilat-Tsanani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9615378 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature