Therapeutic conflicts in emergency department patients with multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with multimorbidity are an increasing concern in healthcare. Clinical practice guidelines, however, do not take into account potential therapeutic conflicts caused by co-occurring medical conditions. This makes therapeutic decisions complex, especially in emergency situations.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify and quantify therapeutic conflicts in emergency department patients with multimorbidity.

Methods

We reviewed electronic records of all patients ≥18 years with two or more concurrent active medical conditions, admitted from the emergency department to the hospital ward of the University Hospital Zurich in January 2009. We cross-tabulated all active diagnoses with treatments recommended by guidelines for each diagnosis. Then, we i

SUBMITTER: Markun S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4195608 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature