REATTENDANCE AUDIT IN AN INNER-CITY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

A study was carried out in an inner-city emergency department (ED) of patients returning for related complaints within 48 h of discharge. Th e incidence was around 0.7% and the majority (82%) of patients present ed with persistence or progression of the original symptoms. Patient-r elated factors accounted for 13% of returns and only 5% were found to be the result of doctor-related factors. Of the returnees, 54% were di scharged and 36% were admitted. The most common initial complaint was pain (31%) which, in 23% of patients, was localized to the abdomen. In jury (14%) and febrile illnesses (13%) came second and third. Asthma a nd chronic obstructive airway diseases (COAD) also accounted for 8% of cases. children of less than 10 years of age were more likely to retu rn within 48 h. About 18% of cases were thought to be potentially avoi dable. Better patient education and an improvment in primary health ca re services were thought to be important in decreasing such avoidable reattendance. Reattendance audit was a useful tool in the continuous q uality improvement programme of emergency department.