title: After-hour physiotherapy services in a tertiary general hospital.
abstract: The aims of the present study were to describe the after-hour physiotherapy services in a tertiary general hospital, the patients and their demographics, and to determine which independent variables would predict physiotherapists' referrals to after-hour physiotherapy. A retrospective record review from April 1, 2004, to April 30, 2005, identified 992 patients (mean age 63.8 years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 62.6-65.0 years) who were either referred by daytime physiotherapists (68%) or referred by medical practitioners for urgent attendance after hours (32%). Pneumonia was formally diagnosed medically in 20% (n=197) of the patients. Of all the patients who had surgery, upper abdominal or thoracic incisions formed the majority (61%; n=236). Whether patients had upper abdominal/thoracic surgery (estimated odds ratio 3.4; 95% CI 2.3-4.9) and the presence of pneumonia (2.8; 95% CI 1.9-4.2) were two independent factors identified from a logistic regression model predicting daytime physiotherapists' referral of patients to after-hour service. This model correctly predicted 65.5% of the cases. Most patients were seen for mucociliary clearance. Referral behaviour by physiotherapists reflects the basis of their clinical decision making and has implications for practice, training, and further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. edwin.lim.c.w@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: Edwin C W
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jinyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Meredith T L
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Wai Pong
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018579:Patient Selection; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D000078329:Workforce