title: Understanding the patient journey to the Emergency Department - A South Australian study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To determine patients' points of contact prior to or decision making processes before presenting to an Emergency Department for treatment. To obtain data that may inform future exploration of targeted Emergency Department avoidance strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients presenting to two metropolitan Emergency Departments over a 24h period were surveyed. Where information was unattainable, it was sought from computerised Patient Administration Systems used by each Emergency Department. A descriptive analysis of the results was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and thirty two patients presented over the 48 h survey period. Results showed that 200 (60.2%) were self-referred, 65 patients (19.6%) contacted their general practitioner, 22 (6.6%) were transferred from other hospitals and 3 patients (0.9%) contacted the National Healthdirect Australia triage hotline prior to presenting to the Emergency Department.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed 39.8% had sought advice from other health care professionals prior to presenting to the Emergency Department and that 60.2% of patients were self-referred. This study has not revealed any new pathways that warrant targeting for Emergency Department avoidance strategies. The focus still needs to target primary care referrals, ambulance service transports and smaller hospital transfers.
authors: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Craig.robinson@health.sa.gov.au.
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Robinson
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Claire
authors: C
authors: Verrall
authors: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Liza
authors: L
authors: Houghton
authors: Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Zeitz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003657:Decision Making; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ED avoidance; Emergency Department; General practice; Healthdirect; Patient journey; Pre-hospital care