J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2018 Apr;29(2):152-159. 10.0000/jksem.2018.29.2.152.

The predictive factors for hospitalization of nonurgent patients visiting an emergency department in an urban area: a single center study

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
  • 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea. capesongnew@gmail.com
  • 3Department of Medical Education, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
  • 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVE
Emergency department (ED) visits by nonurgent patients are controversial because they are considered one of the causes of ED overcrowding and an example of the improper use of medical resources. On the other hand, some non-urgent patients do require hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to compare hospitalized and discharged patients who were classified as nonurgent upon their initial ED visit and identify the predictive factors associated with hospitalization in nonurgent patients visiting an ED.
METHODS
Among a nonurgent patient group visiting an urban university hospital ED in 2016, the hospitalized and discharged patients were compared.
RESULTS
A total of 13,988 nonurgent patients were analyzed, of which 773 (5.5%) were hospitalized. The predictive factors related to hospitalization for nonurgent patients were as follows: male, age 65 years or older, ED visits during outpatient clinic availability, and in the evening, heart rate greater than 100 per minute, respiration rate greater than 20 per minute and body temperature over 38℃
CONCLUSION
Among nonurgent patients, there are patients who require hospitalization. If these predictive factors are considered in the initial ED triage, it should improve the safe treatment of nonurgent patients and improve the efficiency of the use of limited resources.

Keyword

Nonurgent; Emergency medical service; Triage; Hospitalization

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Body Temperature
Emergencies*
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Hand
Heart Rate
Hospitalization*
Hospitals
Humans
Male
Respiratory Rate
Triage
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