Urgent care in the community: an observational study

John Adie; Wayne Graham; Kerron Bromfield; Bianca Maiden; Sam Klaer; Marianne Wallis

doi:10.1108/JHOM-09-2020-0364

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Urgent care in the community: an observational study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Urgent care in the community: an observational study

John Adie, Wayne Graham, Kerron Bromfield, Bianca Maiden, Sam Klaer and Marianne Wallis

Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol.35(8), pp.949-963

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-09-2020-0364

PMID: 34013684

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Abstract

Integrated primary care

Urgent care

After-hours general practice

Super clinic

Emergency department avoidance

Purpose: This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland. Design/methodology/approach: This retrospective chart audit describes patient demographic characteristics, types of presentations and management for Sundays in 2015. Findings: The majority of patients (97%) did not require admission to hospital or office investigations (95%) and presented with one condition (94%). Of the presentations, 66.5% were represented by 30 conditions. Most patients received a prescription (57%), some were referred to the pathology laboratory (15%) and some were referred to radiology (12%). A majority (54%) of patients presented in the first three hours. Approximately half (51%) of patients presenting were aged under 25. More females (53%) presented than males. A majority (53%) lived in the same postcode as the clinic. The three most common office tests ordered were urinalysis, electrocardiogram (ECG) and urine pregnancy test. Some patients (19%) needed procedures, and only 3% were referred to hospital. Research limitations/implications: The study offers analysis of the client group that can be served by an urgent care clinic in a GP super clinic on a Sunday. The study provides an option for emergency department avoidance. Originality/value: Despite calls for more research into community-based urgent care clinics, little is known in Australia about what constitutes an urgent care clinic. The study proposes a classification system for walk-in presentations to an urgent care clinic, which is comparable to emergency department presentations.

Details

Title: Urgent care in the community: an observational study
Authors: John Adie (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
Wayne Graham (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
Kerron Bromfield (Author) - Health Operations
Bianca Maiden (Author) - Bowen Hills Medical Centre
Sam Klaer (Author) - Buderim Medical Centre
Marianne Wallis (Author) - Southern Cross University
Publication details: Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol.35(8), pp.949-963
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
DOI: 10.1108/JHOM-09-2020-0364
ISSN: 1758-7247
PMID: 34013684
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; UniSC Caboolture; School of Business and Creative Industries; School of Health - Paramedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99534607302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Health Policy & Services

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