Pattern of the medical emergency department admissions in a tertiary hospital: A hospital-based prospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Most emergency departments in Nigeria are usually merged
(Surgical and Medical). The recently established Adult medical emergency
unit of the University of Benin Teaching hospital (UBTH) is novel in Southern
Nigeria. We sought to determine the pattern of purely medical emergency
cases seen over a 6 months' period in our hospital.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving all patients
treated in the medical ED at University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin city
over a six month period (August 2019-January 2020). An interviewer
administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic
characteristics, presenting complaints, diagnosis, sub-specialty involved in
management and outcome (discharge, admission, referral or death).
Results: A total of 875 patients were recruited for the study. There were
410(46.9%) males and 465(53.1%) females. The mean age was 57.8±19.94
years (range: 17 - 107 years).
The top 10 clinical diagnosis included stroke 146(16.7%), chronic kidney
disease 59(6.7%), diabetic emergency 59(6.7%), pneumonia 57(6.5%),
congestive cardiac failure 53(6.1%), type- 2 Diabetes mellitus with chronic
complications50(5.7%), malaria49(5.6%), retroviral disease 33(3.8%),
hypertensive emergency29(3.3%) and Tuberculosis28(3.2%).
Conclusion: Neurological and infectious diseases were the most frequent
reason for consultation. Stroke was the singular most common diagnosis in the
medical emergency. A prior consultation to a peripheral center was high
amongst patients observed during the study period.