The impact of a university ENT emergency centre for the ambulatory care of ENT emergency patients

摘要

BACKGROUND: The impact of a German University ENT emergency unit has not been investigated yet. The present study had the aim to define the role of such an ENT emergency unit for the medical supply of ENT emergency cases. Patients' characteristics, diagnostics and therapeutical processes have been analysed. METHODS: In a retrospective study 3 695 emergency cases of the year 2004 have been characterized. RESULTS: Patients referring to the ENT emergency unit are relative young with an average age of 36 years. 72% are coming from the urban area. Two thirds referred themselves without seeing another physician before. The spectrum of diagnoses was broad, mainly similar to the normal spectrum of diseases seen in daily outpatient practice. 17% were emergency cases in narrower sense needing direct help because of real threat. 25% of the patients needed more than a clinical ENT examination. 9% of the cases were admitted to the hospital. DISCUSSION: In a major city without specialised outpatient ENT emergency system patient are attracted regularly to present at the University ENT emergency unit. This means a significant work load for the resident on duty. Most of the patients have ENT diseases treatable with this one and last patient contact. On the other hand, the hospital recruits an important amount of patients for inpatient treatment through the emergency unit.