Abstract
BackgroundAcute care surgery (ACS) services are becoming increasingly popular. MethodsAssessment, flow, and disposition of adult ACS patients (acute, nontrauma surgical conditions) through the emergency department (ED) in a large health care system (Calgary) were prospectively analyzed. ResultsAmong 447 ACS ED consultations over 3 centers (70% admitted to ACS), the median wait time from the consultation request to ACS arrival was 36 minutes, and from ACS arrival to the admission request it was 91 minutes. The total ACS-dependent time was 127 minutes compared with 261 minutes for initial ED activities and 104 minutes for transfer to a hospital ward (P < .05). Forty percent of patients underwent computed tomography (CT) imaging (76% before consultation). The time to ACS consultation was 305 minutes when a CT scan was performed first. ConclusionsAn ACS service results in rapid ED assessment of surgical emergencies. Patient waiting is dominated by the time before requesting ACS consultation and/or waiting for transfer to the ward.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
