Evaluating quality variation of emergency departments

Abstract

Abstract Background Germany introduced a graduated system of emergency levels (0 non-participation; 1 for basic up to 3 for comprehensive infrastructure) to overcome various inefficiencies of hospital emergency care. For each level, detailed requirements must be met, however, the case volume of conditions treated in the levels is unclear. Moreover, the relationship between emergency level and outcomes needs evaluation to analyse if patients are directed to the most appropriate hospital. Methods We selected three major emergency conditions - Stroke, AMI and Hip fracture - and matched risk-adjusted outcome and process indicators on hospital level to the hospital respective emergency level. Descriptive statistics such as distribution and correlation are used to examine the allocation of cases to emergency levels and to analyse the effect of structural differences on health outcomes. Results We saw large variations in quality for all clinical conditions regardless of the emergency level. Hospitals with a small case number showed greater fragmentation; hospitals that did not meet the requirements nevertheless performed interventions for AMI and stroke. In detail, 30-day mortality of AMI shows high variation of quality results in level 1; for stroke it is underperformed with almost 10% in hospitals with level 0. Pre-operative LOS for hip fracture is above the acceptable average in any level (tolerance range ≤ 15%), and the ratio O/E in mortality is noticeable for 40% of hospitals with level 0. Conclusions Many cases are treated in low volume hospitals with wide quality variation and subpar results. Therefore, the definition of emergency levels should be integrated to emergency pathways which might help to direct patients to the most appropriate hospital. Moreover, many emergency symptoms are not captured by available quality metrics and current classification systems which shows that emergency service provision is to a large extent not covered by current measurement initiatives. Key messages Emergency service provision is fragmented and not related to emergency levels. Development of emergency quality indicators is needed.