Emergency department visits--a statewide survey

In a review by questionnaire of the emergency visits to 185 Florida hospitals, the number of annual estimated visits appears to exceed national estimates. In addition, the concept that in excess of 75% of patients are not true emergencies is not borne out. In spite of changes in the emergency medical services system, only 10% of patients came by ambulance or rescue vehicle. These patients were more likely to be seriously ill as attested to by the fact that 50% required hospitalization. Definitive care was provided for 80% of patients. Some 40% of Florida's emergency departments have full-time emergency physicians. Although nearly 70% of the emergency patients were seen by these physicians, 2.4% were seen by interns only, and a total of 10% were seen by house officers only. There was a great variety of referral patterns among the Health Service Agencies.