Nonurgent patients in the emergency department? A French formula to prevent misuse.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Overcrowding in emergency department (EDs) is partly due to the use of EDs by nonurgent patients. In France, the authorities responded to the problem by creating primary care units (PCUs): alternative structures located near hospitals. The aims of the study were to assess the willingness of nonurgent patients to be reoriented to a PCU and to collect the reasons that prompted them to accept or refuse.

Methods

We carried out a cross sectional survey on patients' use of EDs. The study was conducted in a French hospital ED. Patients were interviewed about their use of health services, ED visits, referrals, activities of daily living, and insurance coverage status. Patients' medical data were also collected.

Results

85 patients considered nonurgent by a triage n

SUBMITTER: Gentile S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2846926 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature