Objective
The present study aims to describe the characteristics of early ED re‐presentations in a regional hospital in New South Wales, Australia.
Methods
This was a retrospective review of all patients re‐presenting within 72 h of discharge from Coffs Harbour Base Hospital ED, a regional ED, for the 2016–2017 financial year. Presentations were categorised according to their diagnosis and cause for re‐presentation.
Results
Of the 38 986 presentations to the ED within the study period, 2125 patients met re‐presentation inclusion criteria (5.45%). Diagnoses most likely to re‐present were injury/trauma (18.8%), gastrointestinal (14.8%) and psychiatric (12.5%). The most common cause for re‐presentation was disease progression (32.7%). Patients aged over 66 were the most likely to be admitted on re‐presentation (35.8%) followed by the 17–65 age group (24.2%) and the <16 age group (18.7%).
Conclusions
Re‐presentations were common, but did not lead to increased admissions. The regional hospital in the present study had a higher 72 h ED re‐presentation rate than the comparative major city hospital. In particular, paediatric and psychiatric re‐presentations were a greater burden to the regional ED. This may be secondary to a lack of alternative services, particularly for these patient groups. Improving these outpatient services may help to reduce the burden of 72 h ED re‐presentations.