The characteristics of self-referrals to ER for non-urgent conditions and comparison of urgency evaluation between patients and nurses.

The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics of self-referrals for non-urgent conditions to the ER, and compare urgency evaluation between patients and nurses. The participants were 73 Israeli clients who arrived at ER without referral from a physician, during the morning shift, and were discharged home after treatment. Their average age was 39.4 years. Most of the visits resulted from orthopedic problems. Over 60% indicated that they had chosen the ER because the treatment there was better, and a third reported that they usually turn to ER when they feel sick. In most cases, the visits were within 3 h of the symptoms emerging, and about a third of the participants indicated that lately they had been under situations of stress and anxiety. Significant differences (p=0.000) were found between nurses and patients, in the urgency evaluation of the visit. While most of the clients (77%), evaluated their condition as urgent to most urgent, most of the nurses (78%) evaluated it as non-urgent. Identifying the characteristics of the non-urgent use of the ER and the differences between caregivers and patients regarding the urgency evaluation of the visit, will provide insights into the population perceived as a burden on the work of the ER as well as benefiting and improving services.