title: [Appropriateness admissions to the Department of Internal Medicine of the Hospital de Santa Luzia (Elvas) evaluated by the AEP (Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol)].
abstract: The authors analyse the appropriateness admissions to the Internal Medicine ward of the Hospital de Santa Luzia (Elvas). A retrospective study was performed during 6 months of 2001, using the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). Non-appropriateness admissions were found in 19% (CI95%: 16-22), and this group of patients had less mean age (63 + 16 vs 69 + 16; p <0.01), and less mean days of admission (7.1 + 6 vs 9.3 + 7; p <0.01) than group with appropriateness admissions. Appropriateness admissions were mainly found in patients admitted from the emergency room (86% vs 49%; p <0.001). Most of patients with non-appropriate admissions were admitted to undergo diagnostic tests (44%; CI95%: 35-53), or to be referred to other medical centres for specialized study and/or treatment (12%; CI95%: 6-18).
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Santa Luzia, Elvas.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cordero
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aguila
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massalana
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Escoto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Susano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008297:Male; D008330:Management Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000592:standards*; D011174:Portugal