The medical director states that it seems there has been an increase in the number of patients suffering from shortness of breath with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF). He adds that he is thinking about modifying the protocols, but first must know the number of patients seen with this condition over the past year. To best determine the number of patients treated for this condition, you would:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To best determine the number of patients treated for shortness of breath with a history of CHF, the best option would be to review the previous prehospital care reports. These reports would provide specific patient data and would also serve as a reliable and accurate source of information. Questioning the emergency department physicians and nurses or having employees complete a form or survey may not yield as complete or accurate results.

The Medical Director States That It Seems There Has Been