Article Text

Download PDFPDF
Risk of repeat visits, hospitalisation and death after uncompleted and completed visits to the emergency department: a prospective observation study
  1. Oli Pall Geirsson1,
  2. Oddny Sigurborg Gunnarsdottir2,
  3. Jon Baldursson3,
  4. Birgir Hrafnkelsson1,
  5. Vilhjalmur Rafnsson4
  1. 1Department of Mathematics, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  2. 2Office of Education, Research and Development, the Landspitali, the National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
  3. 3Ministry of Welfare, Reykjavik, Iceland
  4. 4Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
  1. Correspondence to Dr Vilhjalmur Rafnsson, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Iceland, Stapi, Reykjavik IS-101, Iceland; vilraf{at}hi.is

Abstract

Objectives The needs of patients with uncompleted visits to the emergency department (ED) are uncertain. The aim was to evaluate ED patients who leave against medical advice (AMA) and who leave without being seen (WBS) regarding repeat ED visits, hospitalisation and mortality within 30 days.

Methods The National University Hospital operates the only ED for adults in the capital area of Reykjavik. The source of data was the electronic records for patients 18 years or older, who left AMA, who left WBS, who had the ICD-10 code Z53.2, or who completed their visits. ED visits, hospital admissions and the death registry are filed with the personal identification number, which enabled recognition of the index visit, and the outcomes, rates of return visits, hospitalisation and death.

Results Of 107 119 patients, 77 left AMA, 4471 left WBS and 423 had code Z53.2. The HR for returning to the ED within 30 days was 4.79 for AMA patients, 4.84 for WBS patients and 3.67 for Z53.2 patients. The HR for hospitalisation within 30 days was 6.90 for AMA patients, 1.09 for WBS patients and 1.07 for Z53.2 patients. The HR for death within 30 days was 10.97 for AMA patients, 0.84 for WBS and no deaths occurred among Z53.2 patients.

Discussion During 30 days follow-up, AMA and WBS patients had an increased rate of repeat ED visits compared with those patients who completed their ED visits. AMA patients also had an increased rate of hospitalisations.

  • epidemiology
  • death/mortality
  • hospitalisations
  • mental health
  • fractures and dislocations

Statistics from Altmetric.com

Request Permissions

If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.