Michael M Dinh1,2, Saartje Berendsen Russell1,3, Kendall J Bein1, Dane Chalkley1, David Muscatello4, Richard Paoloni2, Rebecca Ivers5,6. 1. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2. Discipline of Emergency Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 3. School of Nursing, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 4. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 5. The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 6. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the trends and characteristics of short-term and frequent representations to EDs in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a linked population-based registry of ED representations in New South Wales, conducted as part of the Demand for Emergency Services in Years 2010-2014 project. Trend analysis of unplanned representations to ED within 3 days of discharge from ED, readmission to an in-patient unit within 30 days of index in-patient admission from ED and demographic data and trends for frequent and very frequent ED presenters is discussed. RESULTS: A total of 10 798 797 ED presentations were identified from 4 188 283 individual patients. Within 1 year, 48.9% of ED presentations had a previous presentation, and 4.9% had represented within 3 days of a previous presentation. The readmission rate within 30 days was 2.8%, the proportion of frequent (representing 5212 [0.1%] individual patients) and very frequent representations (representing 1186 [0.03%] individual patients) were 1.7% and 1.0%, respectively. The overall rate of representations within 3 days has decreased from 5.1% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2014 (P < 0.001). The rate of readmissions within 30 days has increased from 2.4% in 2010 to 3.1% in 2014 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, short-term representations were highest in the infant patient population, in-patient readmission rates were highest in the elderly and very frequent representations to ED were characterised by middle-aged patients with mental health or drug and alcohol related presentations.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the trends and characteristics of short-term and frequent representations to EDs in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a linked population-based registry of ED representations in New South Wales, conducted as part of the Demand for Emergency Services in Years 2010-2014 project. Trend analysis of unplanned representations to ED within 3 days of discharge from ED, readmission to an in-patient unit within 30 days of index in-patient admission from ED and demographic data and trends for frequent and very frequent ED presenters is discussed. RESULTS: A total of 10 798 797 ED presentations were identified from 4 188 283 individual patients. Within 1 year, 48.9% of ED presentations had a previous presentation, and 4.9% had represented within 3 days of a previous presentation. The readmission rate within 30 days was 2.8%, the proportion of frequent (representing 5212 [0.1%] individual patients) and very frequent representations (representing 1186 [0.03%] individual patients) were 1.7% and 1.0%, respectively. The overall rate of representations within 3 days has decreased from 5.1% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2014 (P < 0.001). The rate of readmissions within 30 days has increased from 2.4% in 2010 to 3.1% in 2014 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, short-term representations were highest in the infantpatient population, in-patient readmission rates were highest in the elderly and very frequent representations to ED were characterised by middle-aged patients with mental health or drug and alcohol related presentations.
Authors: Luise Lago; Victoria Westley-Wise; Judy Mullan; Kelly Lambert; Rebekah Zingel; Thomas Carrigan; Wayne Triner; Kathy Eagar Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-06-22 Impact factor: 2.692