[The analysis of the admissions to the laryngological emergency service in Otolaryngology Department of Warsaw Medical University].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our work was to carry out an qualitative analysis of the all cases delt with in otorhinolaryngological emergency unit throughout one year. The information gathered and observations made can result in the valid grounds for streamlining of otorhinolaryngological emergency services in the future.


METHODS
We examined the medical documentation of 7930 subjects (3.972 females and 3.958 males, of the average age 42 years), who appeared in the otorhinolaryngological emergency unit of SP CSK AM in Warsaw from the 1th of January to the 31th of December 2006.


RESULTS
The actual emergency cases accounted for 40% of all cases. The most common were: injuries (12.80%), epistaxises (13.11%), foreign bodies (5.11%). The rest of the cases did not need the summary intervention on emergency admission. These were mostly: ear inflamations (21.32%), upper respiratory tract infecions (10.77%), cerumen in the external ear (8.98%). In 2006, 5,51% of all cases were admitted to the otorhinolaryngological ward and up to 5.22% sent to other specialists.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the cases delt with in the otorhinolaryngological emergency unit did not need the immediate intervention. A part of these was not within the competence of the otorhinolaryngologist. The high proportion of such patients can prolong the time of anticipation for highly specialised aid in the states of real threat to human's life and health and cause other damages that can be harmful to the pacient himself.
Balcerzak
Jarosław
J
Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii AM w Warszawie. jbalcer@amwaw.edu.pl
Palac-Siczek
Małgorzata
M
Kornatowska
Katarzyna
K
Pojmańska
Elzbieta
E
Olesiejuk
Alicja
A
Kisiel
Marta
M
Rygalska
Barbara
B
Łukawska
Izabela
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data