Specialized rheumatology clinic in an emergency department: A year of the rheumatology and musculoskeletal emergencies clinic (RMSEC) experience

Abstract

Background: In October 2013, the emergency department of our hospital started up a rheumatology and musculoskeletal emergencies clinic (RMSEC) with the participation of three specialists in Rheumatology. The purpose of this study was to describe the experience gained in the first year since the beginning of our activity.

Method: A descriptive study of healthcare activity of the RMSEC throughout its first year of operation was performed.

Results: 1788 assessments on 1663 patients were performed. The range of age was 7 to 67 years. 1530 (85.57%) assessments were performed in patients of the healthcare area of our hospital. Of all the assessments made, 633 (35.4%) were related to inflammatory processes and the remaining 1155 (64.6%) to mechanical or degenerative joint or soft tissue processes. According to the topography of the complaint, 435 (24.3%) patients consulted for a process related to the knee, 362 (20.3%) with axial lumbar region and 336 (18.8%) with the shoulder.

Conclusion: Our results denote an intense clinical activity that could have a positive impact on the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal general emergency.

Keywords: Dolor musculoesquelético; Ecografía articular; Musculoskeletal pain; Musculoskeletal ultrasonography; Reumatología; Rheumatology; Urgencias; Urgencies.