The Impact on Emergency Department Utilization and Patient Flows after Integrating with a General Practitioner Cooperative: An Observational Study

Author:

Thijssen W. A. M. H.123,Wijnen-van Houts M.1,Koetsenruijter J.2,Giesen P.2,Wensing M.2

Affiliation:

1. Catharina Hospital, Michelangelolaan 2, P.O. Box 1350, 5602ZA NB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2. IQ Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare (IQ Healthcare), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, IQ P.O. Box 9101, Healthcare 114, 6500HBGLO Nijmegen, The Netherlands

3. Emergency Department, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven P.O. Box 1350, 5602ZA NB Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Abstract

Introduction. A new model, an emergency care access point (ECAP) for after-hours emergency care, is emerging in The Netherlands. This study assessed the effect on emergency department (ED) utilization and patient flows.Methods. Routinely recorded clinical ED patient data, covering a six-year period, was collected. Segmented regression analysis was used to analyze after-hours changes over time.Results. 59.182 patients attended the ED before the start of the ECAP and 51.513 patients after, a decrease of 13%. Self-referred ED patients decreased 99.5% (OR 0.003; 95% CI 0.002–0.004). Referred patients increased by 213.4% and ED hospital admissions increased by 20.2%. A planned outpatient follow-up increased by 5.8% (OR 1.968 95% CI 1.870–2.071). The latter changed from fewer contacts to more contacts (OR 1.015 95% CI 1.013–1.017). Consultations at the regional genereral practitioner cooperative (GPC) increased by 26.0% (183.782 versus 232.246).Conclusion. ECAP implementation resulted in a decrease in ED utilization, a near absence of self-referring patients, and a higher probability of hospital admission and clinical follow-up. This suggests either an increase of ED patients with a higher acuity or a lower threshold of admitting referred patients compared to self-referred patients. Overall, increased collaboration with after-hours primary care and emergency care seemed to optimize ED utilization.

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

Emergency Medicine

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