Inappropriate use of emergency department at prince zeid ben al-Hussein Hospital

Abstract EN

Objective: To define size and reasons of non-emergency visits to the Emergency Department at Prince Zeid Ben Al-Hussein Hospital. Methods: This study was carried out at Prince Zeid Ben Al-Hussein Hospital during the period between February and May 2004.

A total number of 3200 selected patients attending the Emergency Department were inquired about the cause of their presentation.

Other information included the patient's age, gender, and main complaints. Results: About 83.1% of cases were not considered as urgent cases and could be managed in outpatient clinics or primary health care centers.

The most common cause for attendance to the Emergency Department was respiratory complaints (51.9%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (18.5%).

Trauma cases constituted 4.9% of the visits, and 5.7% of these patients were admitted to hospital. Conclusion: It is important to emphasize the role of primary health care centers in managing the non-urgent cases which constitute the bulk of emergency department patients consuming its resources and affecting the management of urgent cases.