TY - JOUR T1 - The accuracy and feasibility of respiratory rate measurements in acutely ill adult patients by GPs: a mixed-methods study JF - BJGP Open JO - BJGP Open DO - 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0029 SP - BJGPO.2022.0029 AU - Feike J Loots AU - Irma Dekker AU - Ruo Chen Wang AU - Arthur RH van Zanten AU - Rogier M Hopstaken AU - Theo JM Verheij AU - Paul Giesen AU - Marleen Smits Y1 - 2022/10/05 UR - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2022/09/30/BJGPO.2022.0029.abstract N2 - Background Tachypnoea in acutely ill patients can be an early sign of a life-threatening condition such as sepsis. Routine measurement of the respiratory rate by GPs might improve the recognition of sepsis.Aim To assess the accuracy and feasibility of respiratory rate measurements by GPs.Design & setting Observational cross-sectional mixed-methods study in the setting of out-of-hours (OOH) home visits at three GP cooperatives in The Netherlands.Method GPs were observed during the assessment of acutely ill patients, and semi-structured interviews were performed. The GP-assessed respiratory rate was compared with a reference measurement. In the event that the respiratory rate was not counted, GPs were asked to estimate the rate (dichotomised as ≥22 breaths per minute or <22 breaths per minute).Results Observations of 130 acutely ill patients were included, and 14 GPs were interviewed. In 33 patients (25%), the GP counted the respiratory rate. A mean difference of 0.27 breaths per minute (95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.7 to 6.3) with the reference measurement was found. At a cut-off point of ≥22 breaths per minute, a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI = 57% to 98%) was found when the GP counted the rate, and a sensitivity of 43% (95% CI = 22% to 66%) when GPs estimated respiratory rates. GPs reported both medical and practical reasons for not routinely measuring the respiratory rate.Conclusion GPs are aware of the importance of assessing the respiratory rate of acutely ill adult patients, and counted measurements are accurate. However, in most patients the respiratory rate was not counted, and the rate was often underestimated when estimated. ER -