The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of use of the Emergency Departments (EDs) and to identify the reasons for inappropriate use. A study with 805 patients visiting the EDs of four large-scale public hospitals in Athens was conducted using the Hospital Urgencies Appropriateness Protocol (HUAP). 38.1% of the visits (n=307) were estimated as inappropriate, due to several reasons such as increased confidence in hospital rather than primary care services/patients' expectation for improved care in EDs (46.6%), convenience/proximity to patient's residence (44.6%) etc. Ageing, Greek nationality and insurance coverage were related with the appropriate use of EDs (p<0.001, p=0.04 and p=0.005, respectively). The identified distortions must be tackled so as to mitigate ED crowding, waste of resources and increase quality and responsiveness of care.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/SHTI190059 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Outbreak of perichondritis associated with ear piercings and a contaminated water system.
Epidemiol Infect
January 2025
Health Protection Operations, South West, UK Health Security Agency, Bristol, UK.
In September 2023, the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) South West Health Protection Team received notification of patients with perichondritis. All five cases had attended the same cosmetic piercing studio and a multi-disciplinary outbreak control investigation was subsequently initiated. An additional five cases attending the same studio were found.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPositive associations between mean ambient temperature and involuntary admissions to psychiatric facilities.
Eur Psychiatry
January 2025
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Background: Temperature increases in the context of climate change affect numerous mental health outcomes. One such relevant outcome is involuntary admissions as these often relate to severe (life)threatening psychiatric conditions. Due to a shortage of studies into this topic, relationships between mean ambient temperature and involuntary admissions have remained largely elusive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGender-Inclusive Language in Public-Facing Labor and Delivery Web Pages in the New York Tristate Area: Cross-Sectional Study.
JMIR Hum Factors
January 2025
Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, 123 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, United States, 1 7248419463.
Background: Transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) individuals are increasingly intentionally becoming pregnant to raise children, and hospital websites should reflect these trends. For prospective TGNB parents, a hospital website is the only way they can assess their safety from discrimination while receiving perinatal care. Cisnormativity enforced by communication gaps between medical institutions and TGNB patients can and has caused delays in receiving urgent care during their pregnancy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNosocomial Pneumonia in Georgia: A Study of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-Producing Versus Non-extended ESBL Gram-Negative Bacterial Profiles.
Cureus
December 2024
Biomedical Sciences, Georgian American University (GAU), Tbilisi, GEO.
Background: Nosocomial pneumonia is a significant healthcare challenge, particularly in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative bacteria. The production of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) exacerbates treatment complexities.
Aim: This study investigates the prevalence and resistance patterns of ESBL-producing and non-ESBL Gram-negative bacteria in nosocomial pneumonia cases in Georgian hospitals to inform antibiotic stewardship and treatment strategies.
Clinical Epidemiology, Etiology, and Outcomes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding at a Tertiary Center in Bahrain: A Retrospective Study.
Cureus
January 2025
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, BHR.
Background Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is one of the most common major medical emergencies. This study sought to determine the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of UGIB in the largest major tertiary care center in Bahrain, compared to regional and international cohorts. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients diagnosed with UGIB between April 2021 and April 2022 in Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain's largest tertiary-level public hospital.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!