Unplanned return visit to emergency department: a descriptive study from a tertiary care hospital in a low-income country.

Publication Type Academic Article
Authors Khan N, Razzak J, Saleem A, Khan U, Mir M, Aashiq B
Journal Eur J Emerg Med
Volume 18
Issue 5
Pagination 276-8
Date Published 10/01/2011
ISSN 1473-5695
Keywords Developing Countries, Emergency Service, Hospital, Hospitals, Teaching, Treatment Failure, Triage
Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, causes, and factors associated with unplanned return visits to emergency department of a tertiary care centre in a low-income country. We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients who had unplanned returned visit to our emergency department within 48 h of their initial visit during a 1-year study period. The incidence of unplanned revisits is 2%. Two-thirds (69%) of these patients were adults. The most common presenting complaint was fever (29%). During return visits 55% of patients required admission. On multivariable logistic regression model; fever, triage categories 1 and 2, and patients leaving against medical advice were the independent risk factors for revisits requiring admission. Infectious diseases are the leading cause of return visits in our setting.
DOI 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e3283449100
PubMed ID 21326103
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