[Emergency contacts with a gynecologic department. Therapeutic and examination requirements]

Emergency room contacts serviced by the Dept. of Gynaecology at Copenhagen County Hospital, Glostrup, are increasing in number. During a 12-week period we conducted a prospective survey of these contacts using a structured questionnaire. Subsequently and based on case sheets a specialist evaluated the relevance of each contact. We found that nine out of ten contacts presented problems relevant to gynaecology; of these one half presented problems in early pregnancy. In 81.7% of all contacts it was found that care could safely have been postponed to daytime hours. Compared to daytime activity the emergency room patient experienced a longer waiting and treatment time, and patients were more often cared for by a junior gynaecological physician without supervision. We concluded that a majority of emergency room calls serviced by our gynaecological department could safely be referred to daytime hours with advantages for both patients and physicians in training.