Characterising the acute medical take: foundation for planning future care

The aim of this study was to characterise the patients and outcomes of an acute medical take. 107 consecutive patients admitted to the acute medical take in a tertiary referral centre were investigated and followed-up at 6 months. Data were collected within the following domains: demographics, observational parameters, initial clinical care, outcomes, patient flow and follow-up. There was a high prevalence of renal dysfunction (27%) and possible/probable sepsis (56%). 22% of patients benefitted from early advanced imaging. Average length of stay (LoS) was 8.15 days for general medicine patients vs 3.23 for patients treated by specialist teams (p < 0.05). LoS was 11.1 days longer if patients' biochemistry suggested probable sepsis (p < 0.05). 31% were readmitted within 6 months. We conclude that patients presenting to the acute medical take are physiologically stable, though frequently present with renal impairment or sepsis, and that specialist patients experienced a shorter LoS. These data are important in planning the future provision of acute medical care.