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

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