CIDG have just realised new research regarding the importance of medical staff obtaining a three generation family tree as part of the patient assessment on admission to hospital.
Tom Donoghue and Mandy Graham, both senior experienced cardiology nurses and CIDG Coordinators, looked at the documentation of family histories taken during inpatient cardiology admissions. Over a 6 month period it was found that the documentation of family histories was usually either absent or inaccurate. The evidence gathered in this study showed that by obtaining a 3 generation family tree from patients, detection of inherited heart disease rose from 8% to 38%. The study concluded with suggestions that admitting cardiology staff need to be reminded of the diagnostic value of a thorough family history for the patient, family and potentially the community. Also, the appointment of dedicated trained staff to obtain a full family history results in a remarkably increased detection of cardiac-inherited diseases.
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