Introduction: The recommendation to discharge low-risk pulmonary embolism patients from or after a brief monitoring in the emergency department has not been widely adopted in Finland.
Methods: We explored the practices for examination and treatment of patients with pulmonary embolism in a university hospital and a central hospital. An assessment was made on how these practices followed the risk classifications.
Results: A very small proportion (3.9%) of the patients were discharged directly from the emergency department. According to the risk classifications, the proportion of patients suited for home care would have been between 30 and 60%.
Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients with pulmonary embolism can be treated on the outpatient basis.