Effect of the "seniorisation" of the medical staff of an Emergency medicalservice on the prescriptions of biological tests

This prospective study compared the prescriptions of biological tests (PBT) for patients admitted to an Emergency medical service (EMS) of a Universit y hospital, according as to whether the staff consisted either of medical r esidents only (study period PI) or of residents trained in emergency medici ne and continuously supervised by a senior specialist (study period P2). Du ring the one-month study periods, a total of 5,948 patients were admitted ( 2,781 during P1 and 3,167 during P2 respectively). Between P1 and P2 the ra te of PET decreased by 38.8% (P < 0.0001), the mean expenses for PET per pa tient by 13.8% (P < 0.0001) and the total expenses by 53.4%. Teaching and t raining of residents in emergency medicine and supervision by a senior spec ialist improve the quality of care and decrease health care cost. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.