Characteristics of patients (N=1180) during the study period
| Variables | |
|---|---|
| Male, n (%) | 629 (53.3%) |
| Age in years, median (IQR) | 54 (38–72) |
| Documented dementia, n (%) | 34 (2.9%) |
| CTAS level, n (%) | |
| 1/2 | 505 (42.8%) |
| 3 | 550 (46.6%) |
| 4/5 | 125 (10.6%) |
| Mechanism, n (%) | |
| Medical illness | 867 (73.5%) |
| Injury | 271 (22.9%) |
| Post-operative | 42 (3.6%) |
| Arrival mode, n (%) | |
| Ambulatory/self | 603 (51.1%) |
| EMS | 499 (42.3%) |
| Other | 78 (6.6%) |
| Arrival time, n (%) | |
| 08:00–15:59 | 614 (52.0%) |
| 16:00–24:00 | 345 (29.2%) |
| 00:00–07:59 | 221 (18.7%) |
| Investigations ordered prior to consultation, n (%) | 687 (58.2%) |
| Laboratory testing | 550 (46.6%) |
| Simple imaging | 412 (34.9%) |
| Electrocardiogram | 308 (26.1%) |
| Advanced imaging | 157 (13.3%) |
| Urine testing | 114 (9.7%) |
| Other* | 16 (1.4%) |
| Procedure(s) required in ED, n (%) | 67 (5.7%) |
| Joint/fracture reduction | 26 (2.2%) |
| Thoracentesis | 1 (0.1%) |
| Chest tube | 1 (0.1%) |
| Cardioversion | 1 (0.1%) |
| Abscess incision and drainage | 7 (0.6%) |
| Paracentesis | 0 (0%) |
| Other† | 32 (2.7%) |
| Admission to hospital | 663 (56.2%) |
*‘Other’ includes investigations such as arterial blood gases and lumbar puncture.
†‘Other’ includes procedures such as catheter insertion/replacement, tube replacement and suturing.
CTAS, Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale; ED, emergency department; EMS, emergency medical services; IQR, interquartile range.