Using D-dimer Testing in Adults at Emergency Departments to Quickly Identify Those at Very Low Risk of Death for Faster Treatment

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of D-dimer testing in emergency departments to identify adult patients at very low risk of mortality. This study focuses on patients who arrive with non-specific complaints and aims to see if providing D-dimer test results to physicians can speed up the decision process for discharge. The trial is a randomized controlled study led by Odense University Hospital and addresses the challenge of increasing patient numbers in emergency settings. Participants will be randomly assigned to either usual care or care guided by D-dimer test results. The D-dimer test is performed on arrival, and in the intervention group, physicians are informed of the results to help guide treatment decisions. The study specifically targets patients who are stable, ambulatory, and have normal vital signs, with follow-up periods lasting up to 30 days. During the study, participants length of stay from arrival to physician decision within 4 hours is measured as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include 7- and 30-day all-cause mortality, total hospital length of stay within one month, and any re-contacts to the emergency department within 30 days. Participants will undergo standard blood tests and vital sign assessments, and their progress will be monitored through hospital records and follow-up visits until discharge or 30 days after arrival.

The Safe Fast Track Study