Evaluation of the referral system for electrodiagnostic testing in the main Alexandria University hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS/EMG) play a key role in the evaluation of patients with neuromuscular diseases. It serves as an extension of a clinical and neurological examination. Patients should be referred to electrodiagnosis (EDX) examination with an appropriate request, including history and neurological findings. When the referring diagnosis is appropriate, the examination is quicker, less invasive and limited to the verification of the provisional diagnosis. The referral system at the hospital involves only one paper asks for (NCS/EMG) with no specific information, the electromyographer is responsible for taking the patient history and performing clinical examination. Consequently, the current referral system had many flaws that needed to be corrected to enhance it. Aim To evaluate the current referral system to the electrodiagnosis unit and to assess the electromyographers’ satisfaction with the new referral system. Methods A simple questionnaire was filled by all working electromyographers to assess their satisfaction about the referral system, then a new approved referral sheet was applied by a specialized physician to all patients attending the EDX unit for two months, then the same questionnaire to evaluate the new referral system was filled again by the same electromyographers. Results There was a statistically significant difference regarding the electromyographers’ satisfaction with the new referral system. Conclusion The electrodiagnosis examination could be easier, quicker, and more organized if preceded by a proper referral system and electrodiagnosis sheet.