Table 3 Circumstances and reasons provided for attending the ED
From: Nonurgent patients in the emergency department? A French formula to prevent misuse
Accepting n = 58 | Not accepting n = 27 | Total n = 85 | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
n (%*) | n (%*) | n | ||
Day of ED visit | 0.277 | |||
Weekday | 36 (62.1) | 20 (74.1) | 56 | |
Weekend day | 22 (37.9) | 7 (25.9) | 29 | |
Previous contact with a GP | 0.225 | |||
Yes | 16 (27.6) | 11 (40.7) | 27 | |
No | 42 (72.4) | 16 (59.3) | 58 | |
Duration of presenting problem | 0.941 | |||
≤ 1 day | 37 (63.8) | 17 (63.0) | 54 | |
> 1 day | 21 (36.2) | 10 (37.0) | 31 | |
Referral to the ED | 0.664 | |||
Self/Relative referral | 46 (79.3) | 19 (70.4) | 65 | |
GP | 9 (15.5) | 6 (22.2) | 15 | |
Employer | 3 (5.2) | 2 (7.4) | 5 | |
Mean level of urgency perceived by the patient (± SD**) | 9.4 ± 5.5 | 13.0 ± 5.2 | 10.6 ± 5.6 | |
Pain | 0.577 | |||
Yes | 38 (65.5) | 16 (59.3) | 54 | |
No | 20 (34.5) | 11 (40.7) | 31 | |
Principal reason for attending the ED (n = 83) | 0.100 | |||
Somatic injuries | 24 (42.1) | 16 (61.5) | 40 | |
Traumatic injuries | 33 (57.9) | 10 (38.5) | 43 | |
Diagnostic investigation(s) performed at the ED | 0.348 | |||
Yes | 21 (36.2) | 7 (25.9) | 28 | |
No | 37 (63.8) | 20 (74.1) | 57 | |
Treatment for trauma performed at the ED | 1.000 | |||
Yes | 4 (6.9) | 2 (7.4) | 6 | |
No | 54 (93.1) | 25 (92.6) | 79 |