Reasons for using emergency departments of major hospitals in Greater Tunis

Abstract

Tunisia, similar to many countries, has a problem of overcrowd ing of the emergency departments [‎ED]‎. This study aimed to analyse the reasons for using EDs, and to describe the seriousness of the attendees' condition and their itinerary before their arrival at ED. This cross-sectional study in 2009 was conducted in ED of 4 hospitals in GreaterTunis and targeted 1058 patients of both sexes, aged >/= 18 years, with stratification according to time of day of presentation to ED [‎morning, afternoon and evening]‎. Information was recorded on the sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants, reasons for choosing ED, time of and reason for consultation, diagnosis and severity of illness. Over half the patients [‎52.5%]‎ were male and the mean age was 46.0 [‎SD 18.1]‎ years. The main reasons for choosing the ED were: speed [‎54.0%]‎ and ease of access [‎47.7%]‎ of ER and occurrence of an acute episode [‎26.4%]‎, Patients with serious illness accounted for only 6.3% of those interviewed. Implementation of good practices and better coordination between public and private services and the ED are needed to reduce unnecessary visits to ED