Improving organization of care could reduce referrals of cancer patients to the emergency department. Prospective analysis of 123 patients

• Published in: La Presse médicale (1983) Vol. 36; no. 11 Pt 1; pp. 1557 - 1562
• Main Authors: Kerrouault, Eva, Denis, Nathalie, Le Conte, Philippe, Dabouis, Gérard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.11.2007
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration; Emergency Service, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Female; France; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - therapy; Prospective Studies; Referral and Consultation - statistics & numerical data; France
• ISSN: 0755-4982
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2007.04.015

The objective of this prospective study was to analyze the profile of cancer patients admitted to an emergency department. The study included all cancer patients admitted to the emergency department of our tertiary care hospital during a 47-day period in 2004 and analyzed their demographic and medical data. Patients were predominantly male (65%) with an average age of 62 years: 90% already knew their diagnosis. Most presented with immunodepression and severe deterioration of their general condition, in an advanced palliative stage (67%). They were referred mainly by their general practitioners (55%) and came from home (92%). In all, 81.3% were hospitalized. Follow-up at 3 months found 68.5% had died. Reasons for admissions were varied. The primary reasons were the unavailability of beds in specialized cancer units and limited home care due to poor hospital-community coordination and to a lack of social and psychological assistance. Management through the emergency care system proved satisfactory but earlier preadmission care could be improved by developing supportive care and providing education for general practitioners about pain control and palliative care.