From symptom onset to ED departure: understanding the acute care chain for patients with undifferentiated complaints: a prospective observational study

ConclusionDutch ED patients with undifferentiated complaints consulted a healthcare provider in over half of the cases before their ED visit. The median time in ACC is 5.5  h of which 40% is spent in the prehospital phase. Those referred by a GP and to pulmonology had a longer, and those in the evening a shorter time in ACC. The acute care journey starts hours before patients arrive at the ED and 6 days of complaints precede this journey. This timeframe could serve a s a window of opportunity to optimise care.
Source: International Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research