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KMID : 0191120210360250172
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Journal of Korean Medical Science
2021 Volume.36 No. 25 p.172 ~ p.172
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The Prevalence and Emergency Department Utilization of Patients Who Underwent Single and Double Inter-hospital Transfers in the Emergency Department: a Nationwide Population-based Study in Korea, 2016?2018
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Kim Youn-Jung
Hong Jung-Seok
Hong Seok-In
Kim June-Sung
Seo Dong-Woo
Ahn Ryeok
Jeong Jin-Woo
Lee Sung-Woo
Moon Sung-Woo
Kim Won-Young
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Abstract
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Background: Inter-hospital transfer (IHT) for emergency department (ED) admission is a burden to high-level EDs. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and ED utilization patterns of patients who underwent single and double IHTs at high-level EDs in South Korea.
Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study analyzed data from the National Emergency Department Information System for the period of 2016?2018. All the patients who underwent IHT at Level I and II emergency centers during this time period were included. The patients were categorized into the single-transfer and double-transfer groups. The clinical characteristics and ED utilization patterns were compared between the two groups.
Results: We found that 2.1% of the patients in the ED (n = 265,046) underwent IHTs; 18.1% of the pediatric patients (n = 3,556), and 24.2% of the adult patients (n = 59,498) underwent double transfers. Both pediatric (median, 141.0 vs. 208.0 minutes, P < 0.001) and adult (median, 189.0 vs. 308.0 minutes, P < 0.001) patients in the double-transfer group had longer duration of stay in the EDs. Patient's request was the reason for transfer in 41.9% of all IHTs (111,076 of 265,046). Unavailability of medical resources was the reason for transfer in 30.0% of the double transfers (18,920 of 64,054).
Conclusion: The incidence of double-transfer of patients is increasing. The main reasons for double transfers were patient's request and unavailability of medical resources at the first-transfer hospitals. Emergency physicians and policymakers should focus on lowering the number of preventable double transfers.
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KEYWORD
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Emergency Department, Patient Transfer, Delivery of Health Care, Health Care System
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