special investigations
Last reviewed 01/2018
Protocols for special investigations vary from hospital to hospital, and within hospitals also. Usually they may be as follows:
- full blood count, creatine, urea and electrolytes on patients aged over 70, or who are on any medications, or who are having major surgery for which there is a need for a baseline measurement
- ECG on all patients aged over 50 or with a history of cardiac disease
- chest radiology on patients over 70, or with known respiratory disease, or heavy smokers
- pulmonary function - particularly peak flow - on patients with airflow disease
- sickle cell disease testing on afro-caribbeans