Table 1

 Characteristics of emergency department (ED) patients included in the ED aftercare study

Characteristic
CTAS, Canadian Triage and Acuity Score.
*The ED care area refers to the location within the ED from where the patient was discharged. Patients in the cubicles, observation and resuscitation areas are cared for in no bed, a bed and a monitored bed, respectively.
†Bone and joint disorders: refers to traumatic and non-traumatic conditions.
n399
Median age, years (IQR)49 (36–68)
Gender (male)201 (50%)
CTAS
    Non-urgent10 (3%)
    Less urgent51 (13%)
    Urgent249 (63%)
    Emergent81 (20%)
    Resuscitation7 (2%)
ED care area*
    Cubicles108 (27%)
    Observation147 (37%)
    Resuscitation144 (36%)
Median ED length of stay (hours:minutes) (IQR)4:10 (2:51–6:10)
Acute diagnosis (top five)
    Chest pain74 (19%)
    Bone and joint disorders†55 (14%)
    Genitorurinary (infection/stones/other)28 (7%)
    Atrial fibrillation18 (4%)
    Abdominal pain (cause unspecified)17 (4%)
Number of chronic illnesses
    0151 (38%)
    1129 (32%)
    273 (8%)
    333 (2%)
    ⩾413 (3%)
Chronic diagnoses (top five)
    Hypertension70 (16%)
    Coronary artery disease65 (14%)
    COPD/asthma52 (12%)
    Diabetes mellitus38 (8%)
    Atrial fibrillation22 (5%)