A seven year experience of medical emergencies in the assessment unit.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse retrospectively all referrals to the assessment unit during a seven year period, to determine their sources and destination.


METHODS
All referrals over the seven year period were analysed. Parental satisfaction was determined using a questionnaire in some of the patients. The disease pattern and the investigations performed were determined. The community nurses' working hours and type of work done were analysed.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of 43 496 children were seen in the unit. Over 65% of the patients were referred by the general practitioners; 13 517 (34.2%) of those referred to the unit were discharged directly from the unit. Respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal problems were commonly seen. The children discharged from the unit did not have significantly more tests done on them. Most of the parents whose children were discharged from the unit were happy to be managed at home. The community nurses attended many children who needed intravenous therapy and advice on fluid rehydration. Community nurses reduce admission to the wards by working with other members in the assessment unit. This in turn provides a single point of entry and bridges the gap between primary and secondary care. We suggest recommendations on setting up such a unit.
Kibirige
M S
MS
The James Cook University Hospital, Marton Road TS4 3BW, Middlesbrough, UK. mskibirige@btinternet.com
Edmond
K
K
Kibirige
J I
JI
Rahman
S
S
D002648:Child; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016526:Workload