European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Characteristics and predictors of mortality among frequent users of an Emergency Department in Switzerland.
Frequent Emergency Department (ED) users have an elevated mortality, yet little is known about risk factors. Our aim was to characterize deceased frequent ED users and determine predictors of mortality. ⋯ Despite excluding those with an estimated survival of fewer than 18 months, 8% of frequent ED users died during the study. Age and medical comorbidity were significant predictors of mortality. Interventions, such as case management, should target older frequent ED users and those with multiple medical conditions, and future research should explore their potential impact on mortality.
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We examined whether teleconsultation from ambulances to a physician at an emergency medical communication center (EMCC) would increase the proportion of patients with nonurgent conditions being treated and released on site. ⋯ Teleconsultation between a physician at the EMCC and ambulance personnel and noncritically ill 1-1-2 patients results in an increased rate of patients treated and released with high satisfaction. The approach does not seem to compromise patient safety.