Streamlining GP referrals to the emergency department: Optimizing Patient Care Pathways

Introduction: Increased pressure on emergency departments (ED) has necessitated the introduction of specific care pathways to optimise patient care and speed up the process of assessment and treatment. Direct General Practitioner (GP) referrals account for significant number of ED attendances. This study aims to analyse these referral episodes and establish their suitability. Methods: 240 consecutive GP referrals to medium-sized ED were identified prospectively on attendance. The ED input and final management outcome was recorded for each case. Results: 27% were cases that could be managed in a primary care setting, 15.8 % required further referral to the related specialty and only 13.8% required direct ED input and were discharged. 43.3% were cases referred for radiographic assessment, of which 70.2% showed no abnormal findings. Conclusion: 175 patients (73.3%) were deemed not requiring direct ED input. Analysis of referral patterns and introduction of appropriate referral guidelines can help streamline those referrals and improve efficiency.