Dataset Information

A descriptive study of access to services in a random sample of Canadian rural emergency departments.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine 24/7 access to services and consultants in a sample of Canadian rural emergency departments (EDs).

Design

Cross-sectional study-mixed methods (structured interview, survey and government data bases) with random sampling of hospitals.

Setting

Canadian rural EDs (rural small town (RST) definition-Statistics Canada).

Participants

28% (95/336) of Canadian rural EDs providing 24/7 physician coverage located in hospitals with acute care hospitalisation beds.

Main outcome measures

General characteristics of the rural EDs, information about 24/7 access to consultants, equipment and services, and the proportion of rural hospitals more than 300 km from levels 1 and 2 trauma centres.

Results

Of the 336 rural EDs identified, 122 (36%) were randomly selected and contacted. Overall, 95 EDs participated in the study (participation rate, 78%). Hospitals had, on an average, 23 acute care beds, 7 ED stretchers and 13 500 annual ED visits. The proportion of rural hospitals with local access to the following 24/7 services was paediatrician, 5%; obstetrician, 10%; psychiatrist, 11%; internist, 12%; intensive care unit, 17%; CT scanner, 20%; surgeon, 26%; ultrasound, 28%; basic X-ray, 97% and laboratory services, 99%. Forty-four per cent and 54% of the RST EDs were more than 300 km from a level 1 and level 2 trauma centre, respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first study describing the services available in Canadian rural EDs. Apart from basic laboratory and X-ray services, most rural EDs have limited access to consultants, advanced imaging and critical care services. A detailed study is needed to evaluate the impact of these limited services on patient outcomes, costs and interfacility transport demands.

SUBMITTER: Fleet R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3845037 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

A descriptive study of access to services in a random sample of Canadian rural emergency departments.

Fleet Richard R Poitras Julien J Maltais-Giguère Julie J Villa Julie J Archambault Patrick P

BMJ open 20131127 11

<h4>Objective</h4>To examine 24/7 access to services and consultants in a sample of Canadian rural emergency departments (EDs).<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional study-mixed methods (structured interview, survey and government data bases) with random sampling of hospitals.<h4>Setting</h4>Canadian rural EDs (rural small town (RST) definition-Statistics Canada).<h4>Participants</h4>28% (95/336) of Canadian rural EDs providing 24/7 physician coverage located in hospitals with acute care hospitalisation ...[more]

PMID: 24285633

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Dataset Information

A descriptive study of access to services in a random sample of Canadian rural emergency departments.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Main outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

A descriptive study of access to services in a random sample of Canadian rural emergency departments.

Similar Datasets

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