A K Reinhold1, F Greiner1, W Schirrmeister1, F Walcher1, B Erdmann2. 1. Medizinische Fakultät, Universitätsklinik für Unfallchirurgie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Deutschland. 2. Zentrale Notfallaufnahme, Klinikum Wolfsburg, Sauerbruchstraße 7, 38440, Wolfsburg, Deutschland. bernadett.erdmann@klinikum.wolfsburg.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Besides increasing numbers of cases in German emergency departments (ED), the spectrum of attending patients is also changing. Patients with acute illnesses tend to prefer EDs to ambulatory care as primary contact point. This study examines the motives for use and use behavior of low-urgent ED-patients. METHODS: Anonymous patient survey in the ED of Wolfsburg Hospital between 12/2015 and 03/2016 with descriptive analysis. All patients with low urgency (Manchester-Triage-System (MTS), levels blue and green) were eligible. RESULTS: 81.5% of respondents (729 evaluable out of 7000 questionnaires distributed) attended the ED between 8:00 a. m. and 5:00 p. m., 70.1 % of them were walk-in patients. The motive most frequently cited was that they would receive better care in the ED (48.3 %). Contrary to acuity assessment, 67.8 % of respondents considered themselves a medium to life-threatening emergency. As alternative option, 49.2 % would choose a nearby clinic in the region for their complaints. CONCLUSION: Self-assessed urgency differs with acuity assessment according to MTS. Patients who fear an acute threat to their health do not use services provided in the ambulatory sector such as the emergency practice of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in the immediate proximity sufficiently. Previous approaches for patient navigation do not seem to be successful in this setting. Strengthening of EDs as a single 24/7 access point for emergency care with simultaneous abolition of parallel care structures should be discussed.
BACKGROUND: Besides increasing numbers of cases in German emergency departments (ED), the spectrum of attending patients is also changing. Patients with acute illnesses tend to prefer EDs to ambulatory care as primary contact point. This study examines the motives for use and use behavior of low-urgent ED-patients. METHODS: Anonymous patient survey in the ED of Wolfsburg Hospital between 12/2015 and 03/2016 with descriptive analysis. All patients with low urgency (Manchester-Triage-System (MTS), levels blue and green) were eligible. RESULTS: 81.5% of respondents (729 evaluable out of 7000 questionnaires distributed) attended the ED between 8:00 a. m. and 5:00 p. m., 70.1 % of them were walk-in patients. The motive most frequently cited was that they would receive better care in the ED (48.3 %). Contrary to acuity assessment, 67.8 % of respondents considered themselves a medium to life-threatening emergency. As alternative option, 49.2 % would choose a nearby clinic in the region for their complaints. CONCLUSION: Self-assessed urgency differs with acuity assessment according to MTS. Patients who fear an acute threat to their health do not use services provided in the ambulatory sector such as the emergency practice of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in the immediate proximity sufficiently. Previous approaches for patient navigation do not seem to be successful in this setting. Strengthening of EDs as a single 24/7 access point for emergency care with simultaneous abolition of parallel care structures should be discussed.
Authors: Anna Slagman; Felix Greiner; Julia Searle; Linton Harriss; Fintan Thompson; Johann Frick; Myrto Bolanaki; Tobias Lindner; Martin Möckel Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2019-05-06 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Antje Fischer-Rosinský; Anna Slagman; Ryan King; Thomas Reinhold; Liane Schenk; Felix Greiner; Dominik von Stillfried; Grit Zimmermann; Christian Lüpkes; Christian Günster; Natalie Baier; Cornelia Henschke; Stephanie Roll; Thomas Keil; Martin Möckel Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-04-16