[Diagnostic algorithm for COVID-19 at the ER]

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Accurate and timely diagnosis of COVID-19 is critical in emergency departments.
• Risk stratification aids in appropriate patient management and isolation protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a diagnostic algorithm for estimating COVID-19 risk in emergency department patients.
• To assess the utility of clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in risk stratification.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 312 patients suspected of COVID-19.
• Utilized PCR testing, blood tests (lymphocyte count, LDH), and chest CT scans (CO-RADS classification).
• Patients categorized into proven, strongly suspected, and low suspicion COVID-19 cohorts.

Main Results:

• The algorithm classified 22% as proven COVID-19, 48% as strongly suspected, and 29% as low suspicion.
• Positive PCR and abnormal lab results correlated with higher CO-RADS scores.
• Lymphopenia and elevated LDH further increased risk in high CO-RADS score patients.

Conclusions:

• A diagnostic algorithm combining clinical signs, lab abnormalities, and CT scans provides effective COVID-19 risk assessment.
• This algorithm enables patient classification prior to PCR results, including those with negative tests.