Patients with cancer who frequently use the emergency department: Main demographic and clinical characteristics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12707/RVI23.155.34094Keywords:
case management, neoplasms, cancer patient, emergency service, hospital, emergency room visits, medical overuseAbstract
Background: Patients with cancer often use emergency services more frequently and may experience more unplanned hospitalizations. If follow-up programs are implemented appropriately, certain instances can be avoided.
Objective: To determine the age, gender, and disease-related characteristics of the patients who visit the emergency room of an institution specialized in cancer treatment the most frequently.
Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients from an institution specialized in cancer treatment. The study involved the analysis of clinical records pertaining to age, gender, disease characteristics, and use of resources across three groups with varying levels of emergency room visits.
Results: Patients with more emergency room visits are often treated with chemotherapy, and the most commonly diagnosed cancers are of the hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial systems and lymph nodes, with lymph node invasion or metastasis. The greater use of the ER is not explained by age or gender.
Conclusion: Identifying the profile of these patients allows for more detailed follow-up programs to reduce emergency room visits and unplanned hospitalizations.
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References
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