29 Prolonged length of stay of older patients in the ED CHAPTER 2 specialties do have a trainee resident or non-trainee resident available to treat patients primarily or as a consultant. Triage levels were determined by using the Netherlands Triage System (NTS, with U0 being the highest urgency and U5 being the lowest urgency). The Charlson Age-Comorbidity Index was calculated to assess the co-morbidity levels (ranged from 0 to 40; higher score means more comorbidity [9]). Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more different medications prescribed by a physician. The seniority of the first physician was classified as ED resident, resident of specified other specialism, or emergency physician. Cognitive impairment was assessed by reviewingmedical history and ED notes of the day of visit. A pre-existent diagnosis of dementia was classified Table 1 Categories for presenting complaints. Category Type of complaints Traumatic injuries Pain after trauma, wounds, burns, complaints after falling, osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Small interventions Placing a urinary catheter for a newly diagnosed urinary retention, nose bleeds, abscesses. Neurological complaints Dizziness, epileptic insult, headache, radiating pain back/leg, neurological paralysis, slurred speech. Respiratory complaints Dyspnoea, haemoptysis, cough, suspected pneumonia / pulmonary embolism, pneumosepsis. Internal medicine Allergic reaction, anaemia, rash, hypertension, hyper/ hypoglycaemia, complaints while on chemotherapy, fever, painful joints without trauma, fatigue, skin infections, pain in eyes or ears, intoxication, septic arthritis. Abdominal complaints Vomiting, abdominal ache, diarrhoea, hematemesis, haematuria, icterus, melena, nausea, constipation, rectal blood loss, vaginal blood loss, pain in testes or vulva, suspected kidney stones, pain in groin or side. Painful or swollen leg Painful leg or ankle without trauma, suspected deep venous thromboembolism, painful hip without trauma, diabetic foot. Altered consciousness Collapse, confused, lowered level of consciousness. Chest complaints Chest pain. Complaints due to medical treatment All problems following surgery (bleeding, fever, pain, infection), catheter related problems, problems with plaster, casts and bandages, problems with drains and other medical devices. Resuscitation In need of resuscitation when arriving at the ED. ED= Emergency department
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw