Dermatological emergencies and determinants of hospitalization in Switzerland: A retrospective study

Dermatologic conditions are estimated to account worldwide for approximately 8% of all visits at emergency departments (EDs). Although rarely life-threatening, several dermatologic emergencies may have a high morbidity. Little is known about ED consultations of patients with dermatological emergencies and their subsequent hospital disposal.

We explore determinants and clinical variables affecting patients' disposal and hospitalization of people attending the ED at a Swiss University Hospital, over a 56-month observational period, for a dermatological problem.

De-identified patients' information was extracted from the hospital electronic medical record system. Generalized estimating equations were used to explore determinants of patient's disposition.

Out of 5096 consecutive patients with a dermatological main problem evaluated at the ED, 79% of patients were hospitalized after initial assessment. In multivariable analyses, factors which were significantly associated with an increased admission rate included length of ED stay, age ≥ 45 years, male sex, distinct vital signs, high body mass index, low oxygen saturation, admission time in the ED and number and type of dermatological diagnoses. Only 2.2% of the hospitalized patients were admitted to a dermatology ward, despite the fact that they had dermatological diagnoses critically determining the diagnostic related group (DRG) payment. The number of patients managed by dermatologists during in-patient treatment significantly decreased over the study period.

Our study identifies a number of independent predictors affecting the risk of hospital admission for patients with dermatological conditions, which may be useful to improve patients' disposal in EDs. The results indicate that the dermatological specialty is becoming increasingly marginalized in the management of patients in the Swiss hospital setting. This trend may have significant implications for the delivery of adequate medical care, outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Dermatologists should be more engaged to better position their specialty and to effectively collaborate with nondermatologists to enhance patient care.