An evaluation of the use of management care plans for people who frequently attend the emergency department

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of management plans for people who frequently attend the emergency department (ED). BACKGROUND: Management plans are used to decrease ED utilisation by people who frequently attend. There is limited evidence regarding the use management plans for this population and the perspectives of staff who use them has previously not been considered. DESIGN: A descriptive observational design including before and after measures of attendance (November 2010 to September 2014) and survey of staff perceptions (July to November 2014). The setting was a major metropolitan hospital ED in Australia. METHODS: The date for commencement of each plan was determined. Data were extrac..