Emergency Presentations to Northern Territory Public Hospitals: Demand and Access Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to quantify trends in emergency presentations to Northern Territory (NT) public hospitals over thepast five years with respect to demand and access. Retrospective analysis was undertaken on data extracted from theNT Module of Caresys and the Hospital Morbidity Data System. There has been a 4.6% decrease in presentations tothe five public hospitals between 1996 and 2001 compared to a 9.4% growth in the population. Despite the apparentdecline in total presentations, the acuity of patients has increased dramatically over the same period. Access analysis ofpresentations seen within the recommended triage time revealed considerable variability, especially for triage categories2, 3 and 4. The access block problem, discrepancies in recorded waiting time and irregularities among the regionalhospitals within the triage system have also been identified. Recommendations including improved access to inpatientbeds and admission to wards were developed in response to the changing role of the emergency department.