Reasons Why Non-Urgent Patients Prefer Emergency Departments

A large number of non- urgent hospital visits end up in the emergency department. However, there are certain factors that influence phenomena. The first factor is the ability of the ED to fulfill the requirements of the patients at once (Rosenwax et.al, 2015). For instance, the structure and norm of the ED addresses all the medical issues of a patient although social and emotional factors always go unnoticed. Secondly, the ED is convenient hence; one is able to save more time due to the discerning nature of the staff members who have a ready medical solution at hand. Third, they are able to get an immediate medical appointment from a caregiver instead of numerous referrals. Therefore, the streamlined quick service delivery and immediate appointment attracts patients to the department.

Care Guide as an Intervention to Reduce Non-Urgent ED Visits

Increasing primary care will divert attention from ED. A care guide is an effective intervention in ensuring that adult patients with non-urgent medical requirements stay away from the department (Rosenwax et.al, 2015). This is because a care guide has an outline of all the medical needs and procedures a patient can pass through during his or her visit and makes. It answers the question of who and when, leaving a patient assured that a team of medical experts will cater for each and every of their needs arising from their duration at a medical institution. In addition, customizing a care guide to suite the specific requirements of clients eases their visits and takes the burden off their shoulders. In the end, patients they may find a care guide more effective than an Emergency department.

 

 

Reference

Rosenwax, L., Spilsbury, K., Arendts, G., McNamara, B., & Semmens, J. (2015). Community-based palliative care is associated with reduced emergency department use by people with dementia in their last year of life: a retrospective cohort study. Palliative medicine, 29(8), 727-736.