Pattern of Admission and Outcome at Accident and Emergency Unit of a Tertiary Institution in South-eastern Nigeria: A 2-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the pattern of admission and outcome at accident and emergency unit of Enugu state university teaching hospital. Study Design: A retrospective analytical study. Place and Duration: Accident and emergency unit, Enugu state university teaching hospital. From January, 2022 to March, 2024. Methodology: This is a retrospective study involving abstraction of data from patients records at accident and emergency unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital between January 2022  and March, 2024. A total of 5062 patients were admitted within the period, and percentages of medical, surgical and gynaecological cases were determined. Results: There were 2856 (56.4%) males and 2206 (43.6%) females with a M:F ratio of 1.3:1. Stroke was the commonest medical case (15%) while trauma from road traffic accident was the commonest surgical case (9%). 58.3% were medical cases, 31% were surgical while obstetrics and gynaecological cases were 1.3%. Unclassified cases were 9.3%. For the patients’ outcome, 57.6% of the cases were admitted to the wards, 40% were discharged from Accident and emergency unit, 27% died while 8% signed against medical advice. Conclusion: Presentation at the accident and emergency units of teaching hospitals in the south-eastern region is high with poor clinical outcomes   hence the urgent need for improved care of patients for better outcome.