Presenting patterns of dermatology conditions to an Australian emergency department.
Dermatology
Emergency department
Pcellulitis
Skin
Journal
World journal of emergency medicine
ISSN: 1920-8642
Titre abrégé: World J Emerg Med
Pays: China
ID NLM: 101549691
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2020
2020
Historique:
entrez:
21
2
2020
pubmed:
23
2
2020
medline:
23
2
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Approximately 5%-8% of emergency department (ED) presentations are due to a dermatological condition. This study aimed to identify and characterise patients with skin conditions presenting to a busy ED. A 5-year retrospective study on patients with dermatological conditions presenting to the Princess Alexandra Hospital ED in Brisbane, Australia was performed. Electronic medical records were used to compare demographics and admission status of the dermatology group and the total ED group presentations. A prospective survey was conducted on low priority triage (triage 4 and 5) patients identifying reasons presenting to the ED. Of a total 281,718 ED presentations, 11,748 dermatology presentations were identified between January 2012 to December 2016. Of the dermatology presentations, 41.5% were female and had an average age of 47. The most common dermatology presentations were cellulitis, abscess, rash unspecified, and ulcer. Of those admitted, 36% were female, average age was 53, mean length of stay of 294 minutes and 83.1% had an infectious aetiology. Of triage 4 and 5 presentations, 66% patients we approached had been seen by a health practitioner prior to coming to the ED. Within the population presenting with a skin related condition to the Princess Alexandra Hospital ED, characteristics associated with admission include male sex, older age, and an infectious etiology. This data may help ED clinicians decide on the discharge disposition of these patients. There may be a role for streamlined admissions for skin related infections, or improved hospital in the home services to support this group.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Approximately 5%-8% of emergency department (ED) presentations are due to a dermatological condition. This study aimed to identify and characterise patients with skin conditions presenting to a busy ED.
METHODS
METHODS
A 5-year retrospective study on patients with dermatological conditions presenting to the Princess Alexandra Hospital ED in Brisbane, Australia was performed. Electronic medical records were used to compare demographics and admission status of the dermatology group and the total ED group presentations. A prospective survey was conducted on low priority triage (triage 4 and 5) patients identifying reasons presenting to the ED.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Of a total 281,718 ED presentations, 11,748 dermatology presentations were identified between January 2012 to December 2016. Of the dermatology presentations, 41.5% were female and had an average age of 47. The most common dermatology presentations were cellulitis, abscess, rash unspecified, and ulcer. Of those admitted, 36% were female, average age was 53, mean length of stay of 294 minutes and 83.1% had an infectious aetiology. Of triage 4 and 5 presentations, 66% patients we approached had been seen by a health practitioner prior to coming to the ED.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Within the population presenting with a skin related condition to the Princess Alexandra Hospital ED, characteristics associated with admission include male sex, older age, and an infectious etiology. This data may help ED clinicians decide on the discharge disposition of these patients. There may be a role for streamlined admissions for skin related infections, or improved hospital in the home services to support this group.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32076471
doi: 10.5847/wjem.j.1920-8642.2020.02.002
pii: WJEM-11-74
pmc: PMC7010528
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
74-78Informations de copyright
Copyright: © World Journal of Emergency Medicine.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflicts of interest: Authors have no financial or other conflicts of interest related to this submission.
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