Assessment of inappropriate emergency visits of patients in Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital adult emergency, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 2019.

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Date

2019-06

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Addis Abeba University

Abstract

Introduction: The ina ppropriate use of emergency department (ED ) ser vice by patients with non - emergent cases is a worldwide problem that makes it difficult to guarantee access for real emergency cases, decreases willingness for care, produces depressing run over effects on the quality of emergency services, and raises overall costs. Objective: The study was to assess inappropriate emergency visits of patients in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital adult emergency from M arch 18/ 2019 –April 10 / 2019 G.C, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methodology: Institutional based cross - sectional study was conducted from March to April/ 2019 G.C in Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital adult emergency unit. The data was collected through interviewing using a pretested & structured questionnaire & chart review of those patients was also done by using check lists. Results: Out of 295 eligible participants, 63.8% were females, 51.6% were in the age group of 31 - 60 years, 52.3% had low family income status, 56.4% had an educational level of diploma and above, 77.7% were with chief compliant of medical or surgical illness & the 22.3% sustained trauma / injury. Two hundred twenty seven (79.1%) participants had duration of illn ess >24 hours, 34.5% came from regular OPD and 9.1% came to ED with an ambulance. Majority of ED visits also occurred during working days (85.4%). Among total respondents, 117(40.8%) of them had inappropriate ED visits. Sex, family income, duration of illness and days of visits had significant associations with Inappropriate ED visits of patients. Conclusion : In Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospi tal significant number of patients had inappropriate ED visits based on our in appropriateness criteria developed from ACEP & Afilalo’s criteria of appropriateness of ED visit of patients; Participants with female sex, low family income , >24 hours duratio n of complaint and working days ED visits had more inappropriate ED visits of TASH. inappropriate ED visits of TASH.

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Keywords

Appropriateness, Inappropriate ED visits, Emergency department & Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital

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