Table 2 Characteristics of study participants, n = 17
Patient characteristic | n (%) |
|---|---|
Gender | |
Female | 9 (52.9) |
Male | 8 (47.1) |
Age group, years | |
20–39 | 5 (29.4) |
40–59 | 6 (35.3) |
≥ 60 | 6 (35.3) |
Mean | 50.9 |
Median | 49.5 |
GP status | |
Yes | 13 (76.5) |
No | 4 (23.5) |
Morbidity* | |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | 8 (47.1) |
Asthma | 2 (11.8) |
Acute respiratory tract infection (RTI), e.g. bronchitis, pneumonia | 4 (29.4) |
Subjective dyspnoea, exclusion of serious illness (like e.g. pulmonary embolism) | 3 (17.6) |
ED consultation* | |
Out-of-hours | 6 (35.3) |
Referred by physician** | 7 (41.2) |
Triage category*† | |
2 very urgent | 1 (5.9) |
3 urgent | 8 (47.1) |
4 standard | 6 (35.3) |
5 non urgent | 2 (11.8) |
Subjective urgency* | |
1 must be seen immediately | 5 (29.4) |
2 must be seen as soon as possible | 7 (41.2) |
3 must be seen today | 3 (17.7) |
4 less urgent | 2 (11.8) |
Previous ED visit in past 6 months*‡ | 7 (41.2) |
GP visit in past 6 months*‡ | 13 (76.5) |