[Perceived urgency of medical condition and use of health care services in Medellín, Colombia, 2005-2006].
BACKGROUND
Medellín has a population of 2.1 million and has 47 acute care hospitals that provide emergency health care services. Perceived seriousness of a medical condition in addition to accessibility and availability of care may influence the use of health care services in the region.


OBJECTIVE
A broad-spectrum survey was conducted to rate the urgency of a health condition as perceived by the patient and how that patient proceeded to make use of health care services.


METHODS
The cross sectional survey was conducted, using door-to-door personal interviews in 1,442 homes from 70 neighborhoods.


RESULTS
Of the 612,689 individuals interviewed, 533,718 (87,11%) reported that they have had a medical emergency. Respiratory difficulties were the most frequent reason for visiting a health care facility as reported by 113,153 (21.2%) of the participants. Of the 532,718 visits reported, 501,558 (93.97%) led to a hospital admission. Of the 21,042 visits not leading to an admission, 42.0% were considered as non-urgent by the hospital staff. Visits admissions reports were missing, 11.118 (2.08%).


CONCLUSIONS
In Medellín, the incidence of medical emergencies leading to a health care facility visit is high. The high prevalence of respiratory emergencies and other conditions that can be managed outside the emergency service indicates the need for a pre-hospital emergency service.
González
Germán
G
Facultad Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Valencia
Marta Lía
ML
Agudelo
Nelson Armando
NA
Acevedo
Liliana
L
Vallejo
Isabel Cristina
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged