Frequent users of emergency services: associated factors and reasons for seeking care

• প্রধান লেখক: Aline Marques Acosta (Author), Maria Alice Dias da Silva Lima (Author)
• বিন্যাস: গ্রন্থ
• প্রকাশিত: Universidade de São Paulo, 2015-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• বিষয়গুলি: article
• অনলাইন ব্যবহার করুন: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1518-8345; 10.1590/0104-1169.0072.2560
• Keywords: Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital; Enfermería de Urgencia; Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, Vol 23, Iss 2, Pp 337-344 (2015)

Aim: to identify the profile of frequent users of emergency services, to verify the associated factors and to analyze the reasons for the frequent use of the services. METHOD: An explanatory sequential type mixed method was adopted. Quantitative data were collected from the electronic medical records, with a sample of 385 users attended four or more times in an emergency service, during the year 2011. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 18 users, intentionally selected from the results of the quantitative stage. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis. RESULTS: It was found that 42.9% were elderly, 84.9% had chronic diseases, 63.5% were classified as urgent, 42.1% stayed for more than 24 hours in the service and 46.5% were discharged. Scheduled follow-up appointment, risk classification, length of stay and outcome were factors associated with frequent use. The reasons for seeking the services were mainly related to the exacerbation of chronic diseases, to easier access and concentration of technology, to the bond, and to the scheduled appointments. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute to comprehending the repeated use of emergency services and provide additional data to plan alternatives to reduce frequent use.