Gastrointestinal endoscopy
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Gastrointest. Endosc. · Jul 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialUrgent vs. elective endoscopy for acute non-variceal upper-GI bleeding: an effectiveness study.
Urgent endoscopy in patients with acute upper-GI bleeding identifies many patients who may be safely treated without hospitalization. The aim of this multicenter trial was to determine whether urgent endoscopy effectively decreases health care resource utilization in a real-life setting where primary care providers determine the course of care. ⋯ Urgent endoscopy did not reduce hospitalization or resource utilization because the results of early endoscopy did not impact the decision by attending physicians regarding admission. For early (triage) endoscopy to impact resource utilization, the results of endoscopy must change subsequent patient care.