Changing Trends of Emergencies Among Adult Patients in A Tertiary Health Institution in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria: A Five-Year Review
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Abstract
Background The Emergency Department (ED) is an essential part of immediate care for sick and unstable patients that require immediate resuscitation services worldwide. This study aims to identify the changing trend at the emergency units of a tertiary health institution in Port Harcourt.
Method A five-year retrospective cross-sectional review of all emergencies cases in a tertiary health institution in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between January 2018 and December 2022. The study population included patients aged 18 years and above. Patients records of the stated period were retrieved and relevant information were extracted and classified into departments they belong to as well as into a broad category of medical and non-medical emergencies.
Result The results showed that 33,954 patients were presented to the emergency departments during the period under review, with an overall prevalent of 92.5% and medical emergencies being more prevalent than non-medical emergencies 57.1% and 35.4% respectively. The overall outcomes of emergencies showed a greater percentage of patient admission into the wards 64.8%. The trend of emergencies cases in relation to month showed a peak admission in July and the least in September.
Conclusion Medical emergencies were more predominant over the years as compared to the non-medical emergencies with a prevalence of 57.1%. Additional research is needed to further understand the pattern of departmental emergencies, possible diagnoses, and their relationship with gender and age.
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References
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