Medical emergencies in general practice in south-east Queensland: prevalence and practice preparedness.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the type and frequency of emergencies in general practice, and the extent to which general practices are equipped to appropriately respond to emergencies.


METHODS
Random-sample, cross-sectional questionnaire survey of general practitioners, October 1999 - March 2000.


METHODS
General practices in south-east Queensland.


METHODS
512 of 900 eligible GPs in current clinical practice.


METHODS
The type and frequency of medical emergencies presenting to GPs, and descriptive details of emergency drugs and equipment available in their practices.


RESULTS
512 GPs (response rate, 57%) reported managing a cumulative total of 5640 emergencies over the preceding 12 months. Non-metropolitan GPs saw about 30% more emergencies than their metropolitan counterparts (median, 9 and 7, respectively; P=0.02). The most common emergencies (seen by more than 30% of all GPs) were acute asthma, psychiatric emergencies, convulsions, hypoglycaemia, anaphylaxis, impaired consciousness, shock, poisoning and overdose. Most GPs (77%) stocked 15 or more of the 16 emergency doctor's bag drugs, but a smaller proportion (67%) had all of the basic emergency equipment items considered essential.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial number of patients with potentially life-threatening emergencies present to GPs. Doctor's bag emergency drugs are available in most general practices, but availability of basic emergency equipment is suboptimal.
Johnston
C L
CL
Centre for General Practice, School of Population Health, Mayne Medical School, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Coulthard
M G
MG
Schluter
P J
PJ
Dick
M L
ML
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology