Study of mortality in a medical unit of emergency department

OBJECTIVES: TO define the mortality pattern in a medical unit of emergency department (ED) and to know the satisfaction of relatives with ED provided care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We computed the number of patients visited and dead f rom 1989 to 1996. From all patients dying during 1996, we recorded clinical and epidemiological data and we interviewed the patients' family to know t heir satisfaction with ED provided care. RESULTS: Whole mortality rate was 0.71 (0.15)% (X) over bar (SD) with an an nual increase of 10.4% (r = 0.78, p < 0.05). The clinical profile of patien t dying at ED is an individual of advanced age, with a poor quality of life , and in whom the death was expected when arrived to ED. From the family in terview, 61% of cases preferred that their relative was dying in the hospit al, and 88% were satisfied with ED provided care. CONCLUSIONS: Although the annual mortality rate has progressively increased in ED, family satisfaction with the received care is good.