title: Is the case-mix of patients who self-present to ED similar to general practice and other acute-care facilities?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To benchmark walk-in presentations to emergency departments (ED) with those presenting to other local acute healthcare facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A large teaching hospital with an annual ED census of 140, 000 adult patients and surrounding associated acute healthcare providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 384 patients who self-presented to the ED was obtained. Benchmarking data were drawn from two general practices; the Tower Hamlets Community Services walk-in centre (co-located on-site with the ED) and the GP-run out-of-hours service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The case-mix presenting to the ED was characterised by a higher proportion of injuries and chest pain, but fewer simple infections and non-traumatic musculoskeletal conditions as compared to other acute care facilities in our region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with injuries and possible cardiac chest pain were more likely to attend the ED, and those with infection or musculoskeletal problems less likely, as compared with other acute healthcare facilities. The population presenting to the ED is distinct from that presenting to general practice, out-of-hours clinics, or walk-in centres.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: GP Health E1 Homeless Medical Centre and Clinical Lead GP Streaming Service, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D019985:Benchmarking; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: clinical assessment, effectiveness; comparitive system research; effieciency; emergency care systems, admission avoidance; emergency care systems, primary care