Analysis of medical regulation of the Emergency Department in a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract Objective To analyze the profile of referrals from the emergency department in a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Methodology: This is a retrospective descriptive observational study. The sample of this study included the data of individuals referred by the emergency department during the year of 2019. At the end of data collection, a descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results Valid data from 9,984 referrals were found. The average time to the release of the hospital bed was 26.6 hours (± 35.8). Among all referred patients, 1,592 (15.9%) did not complete their destinations, evolving to one of the following outcomes: medical discharge (9.3%), death (2.3%), patient dropout (2.8%) or termination of its file (1.5%). The average length of stay in the unit for patients who were discharged was 40.8 hours (±36.2), while for those who died it was 40.9 hours (±42.7). Conclusions The waiting times for releasing the hospital beds requested by the emergency department are longer than those recommended in the literature. This can cause worse outcomes for referred patients and goes beyond the competencies of the emergency service as defined by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.