Correlations between socio-anagraphic characteristics and color codes of admissions to ER in Valle d'Aosta

Abstract

Emergency Department admission of patients with white or green codes is considered potentially inappropriate and causes overcrowding of these facilities. The weakening in the role of the General Practitioner, inadequate cover, the fragmentary nature of programmes, and unfavourable socio-economic conditions are considered to be important elements. In this study we analysed the correlations between sociodemographic characteristics and colour code allocation in patients reporting to the Emergency Department of a Regional Hospital. Our data shows that self-referral vs. referral by GP, residence outside the Region, young age and distance from the Emergency Department are factors that influence the allocation of white and green codes, whereas the presence or lack of local services is not. It would therefore seem appropriate to investigate the reasons for admission in terms of the level of technical and organisational reliability of local services as well as users’ preferences in relation to these facilities.