Research Article

The after-hours case mix of patients attending the George Provincial Hospital Emergency Centre

Published in: South African Family Practice
Volume 56 , issue 4 , 2014 , pages: 240–245

DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2014.953889

Author(s): Patricia S van Wyk Western Cape Department of Health, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, South Africa , Louis Jenkins Western Cape Department of Health, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, South Africa

Keywords: after-hours care , emergency service , hospital , nurse practitioner , triage

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Abstract

Background: The emergency care of patients in South Africa has improved with the establishment of Emergency and Family Medicine as specialities, the introduction of the Cape Triage Scoring (CTS), and the upgrading of emergency care services. The Western Cape Comprehensive Service Plan stipulates that 90% of care should be delivered through primary and district (level 1) services, 8% through general specialist (level 2) services and 2% through super-specialist (level 3) services. Many patients needing level 1 care present after hours at level 2 facilities. This study was undertaken to determine the after-hours emergency centre case mix and workload at George Provincial Hospital Emergency Centre.

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