Analysis of Factors Related to Delayed Answer in Interhospital Transfer Refer

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors related to delayed answer in interhospital transfer in order to reduce the time required to determine interhospital transfer and to provide optimal care for emergency patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. Data on request for interhospital transfer of emergency patients were collected from July, 2013 to October, 2013 in an urban emergency department with approximately 40,000 annual visits. Time required for determination, receptionist's department and position, decision maker's department and position, patient's general characteristics, and requesting hospital's characteristics were collected. The SPSS package with Student's t-test, Chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for analysis of the data. RESULTS: When the decision maker's department was emergency medicine, the time required to determine inter-hospital transfer was shortest (p<0.001), and position of emergency medicine member was non-significant (p=0.109). When the decision maker's department was non-emergency medicine, specialist had a shorter time required to determine interhospital transfer than resident (p<0.001), but influence of the position of receptionist was non-significant. CONCLUSION: Decision maker for interhospital transfer request should be an emergency medicine member. If one cannot make a decision, one should consult a specialist, not a resident. Hospitals should implement an organized system to shorten the time for interhospital transfer.