The profile of frequent user of a Multipurpose Emergency Service

Objective: to analyze the profile of frequent users of a Multipurpose Emergency Service in the Azores, Portugal, relating sociodemographic, clinical and time characteristics. Method: a retrospective study with a quantitative approach on the use of a Multipurpose Emergency Service in the Azores, P...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alexandra Torres de Medeiros, José Luís Santos Picanço, Nuno Miguel Faria Araújo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Federal do Paraná 2025-03-01
Series:Cogitare Enfermagem
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Online Access:https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/98821
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Summary:Objective: to analyze the profile of frequent users of a Multipurpose Emergency Service in the Azores, Portugal, relating sociodemographic, clinical and time characteristics. Method: a retrospective study with a quantitative approach on the use of a Multipurpose Emergency Service in the Azores, Portugal, from January 1 to December 31, 2022. The population included all users with four or more visits. Data were extracted from Glintt Healthcare® in October 2023, with descriptive statistical analysis. Results 6,553 (11.8%) were frequent users, predominantly female (55.8%), ≤ 30 years old, single (54.6%), living in Ponta Delgada (60.3%) and who sought treatment without referral (97%). They arrived by ambulance (16.7%), with low and non-urgent priorities (50%), presenting at least one comorbidity (67%), hospitalization rate (8.6%) and higher demand on Mondays (15.8%). Conclusion: it is urgent to integrate primary and hospital care, promoting partnerships to improve care, assessing whether vulnerabilities influence the excessive use of the healthcare system.
ISSN:1414-8536
2176-9133