@article{22298,
  author = {Ivers R. and Muscatello D. and Dinh M. and Bein K. and S. Russell Berendsen and Chalkley D. and Paoloni R.},
  title = {Trends and characteristics of short-term and frequent representations to emergency departments: A population-based study from New South Wales, Australia},
  abstract = {<p>
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the trends and characteristics of short-term and frequent representations to EDs in New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a linked population-based registry of ED representations in New South Wales, conducted as part of the Demand for Emergency Services in Years 2010-2014 project. Trend analysis of unplanned representations to ED within 3 days of discharge from ED, readmission to an in-patient unit within 30 days of index in-patient admission from ED and demographic data and trends for frequent and very frequent ED presenters is discussed. RESULTS: A total of 10 798 797 ED presentations were identified from 4 188 283 individual patients. Within 1 year, 48.9% of ED presentations had a previous presentation, and 4.9% had represented within 3 days of a previous presentation. The readmission rate within 30 days was 2.8%, the proportion of frequent (representing 5212 [0.1%] individual patients) and very frequent representations (representing 1186 [0.03%] individual patients) were 1.7% and 1.0%, respectively. The overall rate of representations within 3 days has decreased from 5.1% in 2010 to 4.7% in 2014 (P &lt; 0.001). The rate of readmissions within 30 days has increased from 2.4% in 2010 to 3.1% in 2014 (P &lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, short-term representations were highest in the infant patient population, in-patient readmission rates were highest in the elderly and very frequent representations to ED were characterised by middle-aged patients with mental health or drug and alcohol related presentations.
</p>
},
  year = {2016},
  journal = {Emergency Medicine Australasia},
  edition = {2016/05/06},
  isbn = {1742-6723 (Electronic)<br/>1742-6723 (Linking)},
  note = {Dinh, Michael M<br/>Berendsen Russell, Saartje<br/>Bein, Kendall J<br/>Chalkley, Dane<br/>Muscatello, David<br/>Paoloni, Richard<br/>Ivers, Rebecca<br/>Emerg Med Australas. 2016 May 5. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.12582.},
  language = {Eng},
}