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KMID : 0926620050100020064
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Korean Journal of Hospital Management
2005 Volume.10 No. 2 p.64 ~ p.80
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Factors associated with unexpected revisit to an emergency medical center
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Lim Mi-Sun
Kang Hye-Young
Suh Gil-Joon
Hong Joon-Hyun
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Abstract
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The objectives of this study were to identify factors associated with unexpected revisit to an emergency medical center (EMC) located in Seoul and to examine reasons for revisit. During March, June, September and December, 2002, a total of 168 patients had unexpected revisits to the EMC within 48 hours of a previous discharge. As a 1:1 matched control, we included 136 patients who: discharged from the EMC during the same time period: did not return to the EMC; had the same diagnosis and age() with the case. In this study, factors associated with unexpected revisits were defined as characteristics of a previous discharge, which were classified into three: sociodemographic, EMC visit-related, and discharge management factors. Reasons for revisit were categorized into disease, physician, patients, and system-related factors. Data were collected by medical chart review with assistance from clinicians of the EMC. Logistic regression results showed that patients who headed home after discharge without follow-up schedule had a 27.6 times higher risk of revisiting EMC than those who were hospitalized following EMC visit. Patients discharged on his own will had a 5.9 times higher risk of revisiting than those discharged following physician’s advice. Patients requiring continual observation at the time of discharge were more likely to revisit by 8.7 times than those discharged with improved condition. About 69.13% of the revisits were due to disease-related factors, followed by 13.90% due to patient-related factors, 8.64% due to system-related factors, and 8.34% due to physician-related factors. It appears that the most significant factors influencing revisits are discharge management factors such as patient’s condition at discharge, whether the discharge was accorded with physician’s advice, and whether returning home without follow-up schedule. Therefore, appropriate discharge management is necessary to prevent EMC revisit.
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KEYWORD
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Emergency department, Unexpected revisit, Quality of care
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