This study looked at 718 patients evaluated by 97 physicians in 10 regional hospitals. The correctness of the ED diagnosis was correlated to the cumulative score for adherence to ACEP rules (p = 0.0003).
This research study found that physicians adhering to ACEP guidelines made better diagnostic decisions than those who did not. However, note that further analysis of this database found a significant gender bias in the evaluation of men and women presenting with acute, nontraumatic chest pain (1).
1. Heston TF, Lewis LM. Gender bias in evaluating and managing
acute nontraumatic chest pain. The St. Louis Emergency Physicians' Association
Research Group. Fam Pract Res J. 1992 Dec;12(4):383-9. PMID: 1481708.