An analysis of unscheduled return visits to an urban emergency department.

Abstract

AIM. This study was undertaken to identify the reasons for unscheduled return visits to an urban emergency department, particularly those relating to physician errors in diagnosis and management, and, where possible, to identify strategies to reduce unscheduled return visits. METHOD. All patients returning to the Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital, within seven calendar days of initial visit were identified. These cases were reviewed to identify reasons for return visit. RESULTS. Unscheduled return visits accounted for 2% of patient encounters. Sixty one per cent were due to illness related factors, 27% to patient related factors, 11% to physician related factors and 1% to system re..