Coagulation studies in patients admitted with epistaxis - current practicein Scotland

Epistaxis remains the most common ENT emergency. The use of coagulation stu dies in Scotland to manage these patients was investigated to determine cur rent practice. The study took the form of a postal questionnaire sent to al l practising ENT consultants and a telephone survey of ENT senior house off icers working in Scotland. Of the 60 questionnaires circulated amongst cons ultants, 55 responses were received (92 per cent). Thirty-eight consultants (70 per cent) indicated that they did not routinely request a coagulation screen for their patients, however, 30 per cent (16) did. Forty-three of th e 35 junior staff were available for interview, 22 (51 per cent) of whom ro utinely requested coagulation studies. While the majority of consultants di d not request routine coagulation studies, there did not appear to be any c onsensus among the junior staff. Although there is a paucity of scientific information with regard to this aspect of epistaxis patient management, the re is support in the literature for targeted rather than blanket testing. T here is perhaps a need to address this issue within individual departments, to achieve uniformity of practice, and to improve communication between ju nior and senior staff.