Open AccessFrequent-users of emergency department: a mixed-methods observational retrospective study in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)
Author(s) -
Andrea Ubiali,
G Raguzzoni,
Sara Bontempo Scavo,
Chiara Francesca Bodini,
Tiziano Carradori,
Ardigò Martinó
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
online brazilian journal of nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.11
H-Index - 8
ISSN - 1676-4285
DOI - 10.17665/1676-4285.20206249
Subject(s) - overcrowding , observational study , medicine , emergency department , retrospective cohort study , medical emergency , wasting , medical record , health care , emergency medicine , nursing , pathology , endocrinology , radiology , economics , economic growth
Background. The overcrowding of Emergency Departments (EDs) represents a major concern in Italy. Frequent users (FUs) contribute to overcrowding, wasting health care resources. Objective. To describe the characteristics of FUs and to evaluate the reliability of the ED information systems. Design. An observational single-centre retrospective study.Methods. A quali-quantitative analysis of medical records from FU admissions to the ED in a 15-month period at a Teaching Hospital in Italy.Conclusions. The adoption of a patient-centred approach oriented towards chronic conditions could result in richer information and better management of FUs.