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Determinants of non-urgent emergency department use
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Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Background: The use of the emergency department (ED) for non-urgent situations is a source of concern, both at the
national and international levels.
Objectives: To assess the sociodemographic characteristics and ED use of non-urgent patients and to identify the reasons
for non-urgent ED use.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study used patient interviews and the electronic medical records of 357 patients triaged
as non-urgent at a Portuguese hospital ED, using an accidental sampling technique.
Results: The majority of patients were women, middle-aged, and had a low education level; most of them used the ED
during the day and on their own initiative. The most common reasons were: My disease justifies ED use (91.7%) and I can
undergo all medical examinations on the same day (65.6%). The majority of patients (87.9%) were discharged, and 84.9%
had access to a family doctor.
Conclusion: Multiple determinants of non-urgent ED use were identified. Some recommendations were put forward to
improve the rational use of healthcare services.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Emergency medical services Health services Patient care Adult