Chronic disease management in emergency department patients presenting with dyspnoea

Emerg Med Australas. 2020 Dec;32(6):1067-1070. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.13625. Epub 2020 Sep 17.

Abstract

Objectives: Guideline recommended treatments for chronic conditions are thought to reduce ED presentations.

Method: We used data from 1958 ED patients with dyspnoea to describe medication use in patients with chronic conditions.

Results: A total of 1233 (63.5%) patients had one or more of: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 547 (28%), asthma 454 (23%), atrial fibrillation 368 (19%) or heart failure 401 (21%). Approximately, 70% were prescribed appropriate preventative medication for their chronic condition when they presented to ED with dyspnoea.

Conclusion: Prescription of guideline recommended therapies for chronic conditions in patients presenting to the ED in Australasia with acute dyspnoea is similar or higher than reported previously.

Keywords: chronic disease; drug therapy; dyspnoea; emergencies; preventative medicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asthma*
  • Atrial Fibrillation*
  • Disease Management
  • Dyspnea / etiology
  • Dyspnea / therapy
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Humans