|
KMID : 0387320060160040128
|
|
Korean Journal of Health Policy and Administration
2006 Volume.16 No. 4 p.128 ~ p.146
|
|
|
Characteristics of non-emergent patients at emergency departments
|
|
Chung Seol-Hee
Na Baeg-Ju
Yoon Han-Deok
|
|
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
The objective of this paper is to examine the proportion and characteristics of non-emergent patients at emergency departments. The observational survey was conducted using a structured form used by emergency medicine specialists or senior residents on June 7-20, 2005. 1,526 patients at ten emergency centers took part in this study. The structural form contained type of insurance, route and means of emergency department (ED) visit, triage based on the Manchester Triage Scale(MTS)-modified criteria, emergency level based on the government defined rule, type of emergency centers (Regional Emergency Medical Center; REMC, Local Emergency Medical Center; LEMC, Local Emergency Agency; LEA), as well as patient’’s general information. Data were analyzed using SAS statistical program(V.8.2). Descriptive analysis was performed to describe the magnitude of non-emergent patients. ${\chi}^2-analysis$ and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the nonurgent patients’’ characteristics. In the MTS-modified criteria, we found a 15.3% rate of non-emergent patients. This rate differed from that of non-emergent patients obtained using government’’s rule. In particular, there were inaccuracies in the definition of government rule on non-emergent patients, so it is necessary to apply the new government rule regarding classification of non-emergent patients. There were significant differences in the rate of non-emergent patients according to type of ED, means of ED visit, time to visit, and insurance. Non-emergent patients are more likely to visit a D-type ED(LEA having less than 20,000 patients annually), not to use ambulance, to have ’’Automobile Insurance, Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, or pay out-of-pocket’’. Non-emergent patients tend to visit ED due to illness rather than injury. Further studies on the development’’ of triage scale and reexamination of the government’’s rule on emergency visits are required for future policy in this area.
|
|
|
KEYWORD
|
|
|
Non-emergency patients, Emergency department, Characteristics
|
|
|
FullTexts / Linksout information
|
|
|
|
|
Listed journal information
|
|
 
|
|