title: The characteristics of self-referrals to ER for non-urgent conditions and comparison of urgency evaluation between patients and nurses.
abstract: The aim of the study was to identify the characteristics of self-referrals for non-urgent conditions to the ER, and compare urgency evaluation between patients and nurses. The participants were 73 Israeli clients who arrived at ER without referral from a physician, during the morning shift, and were discharged home after treatment. Their average age was 39.4 years. Most of the visits resulted from orthopedic problems. Over 60% indicated that they had chosen the ER because the treatment there was better, and a third reported that they usually turn to ER when they feel sick. In most cases, the visits were within 3 h of the symptoms emerging, and about a third of the participants indicated that lately they had been under situations of stress and anxiety. Significant differences (p=0.000) were found between nurses and patients, in the urgency evaluation of the visit. While most of the clients (77%), evaluated their condition as urgent to most urgent, most of the nurses (78%) evaluated it as non-urgent. Identifying the characteristics of the non-urgent use of the ER and the differences between caregivers and patients regarding the urgency evaluation of the visit, will provide insights into the population perceived as a burden on the work of the ER as well as benefiting and improving services.
authors.affiliation: Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Research Unit, Nursing Care Management, Zrifinn, Bear Yaakov 70300, Israel. rasinm@asaf.health.gov.il
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rassin
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasie
authors.forename: Yair
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bechor
authors.forename: Gali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Silner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004630:Emergencies / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors