[Exploratory study of an emergency unit in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of patient care variables in an emergency unit that applies care protocols.


METHODS



METHODS
Patients admitted to the emergency unit of the São Rafael Hospital in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, between July 1, 2000 and May 31, 2001. Study of the variables: age, gender, origin (city, district), admission date and hour, medical specialty, patient's disease (coded by ICDM-10), destiny (discharge, observation and discharge, observation and hospital admission), length of stay.


RESULTS
35.4% of the patients were under 14 years old. 86.11% of the admissions took place from 08:00 am to 10:59 pm. 78.96% of all patients were discharged after consultation. 17.86% required observation. Of these, 10.37% were discharged and 7.49% were admitted to the hospital. Length of stay was on the average of 282.9 (+/- 242.54) min. The ICDM-10 "R" group had a higher frequency, (29.5%). The three main causes for emergency unit admissions were fever, diarrhea and dyspnea. 12% of those who came from a distance of up to 5 km required observation and 5.8% needed hospital admission. 20.23% of those that came from a distance farther than 15 km required observation and 12.63% needed hospital admission.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of patients cared for in this emergency unit required low complexity care and the number increases when patients come to the hospital from a shorter distance.
Jacobs
Peter Christian
PC
Hospital São Rafael-Monte Tabor, Salvador, BA. peter@atarde.com.br
Matos
Ediriomar Peixoto
EP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005791:Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*