Resources spent on dermatological emergency patients: A twelve‐month prospective data collection from Germany

Abstract

Summary Background and objectives Rising numbers of patients consulting emergency units are associated with an increased demand for material and personnel. In order to better quantify these resources, we performed an analysis of diagnostic procedures, treatment types, and the quantity and educational level of staff involved in emergency consultations. Patients and methods The study was conducted as a prospective single‐center survey over twelve months in the dermatology unit of a Germany university hospital. 3155 consultations were included by consecutive sampling. Results Diagnostic tests (e.g. microbiological swab, blood testing, punch biopsy) were performed in 29 % of all consultations. Physicians prescribed treatment in 70 % of cases, with steroids and antihistamines being the most frequent topical and systemic treatment, respectively. Each patient was seen by at least one physician and a nurse, and in 25 % of cases an additional physician was involved. Less than thirty minutes was required for the consultation in the vast majority of cases. On average, emergency consultations required two hours per day of the treating physician's time, not including the time of other involved staff such as nurses and laboratory technicians. Conclusions This study demonstrates the extent of resources involved in the treatment of dermatological emergency consultations.