Title
Follow-Up Trends After Emergency Department Discharge for Acutely Symptomatic Hernias: A Southwestern Surgical Congress Multi-Center Trial
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-20-2019
Publication Title
American Journal of Surgery
First page number:
1
Last page number:
5
Abstract
Background: The objective of this multi-center study was to examine the follow-up trends after emergency department (ED) discharge in a large and socioeconomically diverse patient population. Methods: We performed a 3-year retrospective analysis of adult patients with acutely symptomatic hernias who were discharged from the EDs of five geographically diverse hospitals. Results: Of 674 patients, 288 (43%) were evaluated in the clinic after discharge from the ED and 253 (37%) underwent repair. Follow-up was highest among those with insurance. A total of 119 patients (18%) returned to the ED for hernia-related complaints, of which 25 (21%) underwent urgent intervention. Conclusion: The plan of care for patients with acutely symptomatic hernias discharged from the ED depends on outpatient follow-up, but more than 50% of patients are lost to follow-up, and nearly 1 in 5 return to the ED. The uninsured are at particularly high risk.
Keywords
Follow-up; Emergency department; Acute; Symptomatic hernia; Surgery; Insurance status
Disciplines
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment
Language
English
Repository Citation
Angelo, J. L.,
Kaji, A. H.,
Spence, L. H.,
Plurad, D. S.,
Asis, M.,
Barber, A.,
Schroeppel, T. J.,
Callaghan, E. C.,
Grover, B. T.,
Regner, J. L.,
Truitt, M.,
Kim, D. Y.
(2019).
Follow-Up Trends After Emergency Department Discharge for Acutely Symptomatic Hernias: A Southwestern Surgical Congress Multi-Center Trial.
American Journal of Surgery
1-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.08.012