Impact of observation on disposition of elderly patients presenting to emergency departments with non-specific complaints.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emergency Departments (EDs) have to cope with an increasing number of elderly patients, often presenting with non-specific complaints (NSC), such as generalized weakness. Acute morbidity requiring early intervention is present in the majority of patients with NSC. Therefore, an early and optimal disposition plan is crucial. The objective of this study was to prospectively study the disposition process of patients presenting to the ED with NSC.

Methods

For two years, all patients presenting with NSC presenting to an urban ED were screened and consecutively included. The initial disposition plan was compared to the effective transfer after observation. Optimal disposition was defined as a high accuracy regarding disposition of patients with acute morbidity to an int

SUBMITTER: Misch F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4037184 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature