Examination of Incidence of Infectious Diseases Among the Patients Who Applied to the Emergency Clinic

Abstract

This study examines the incidence, distribution, rate of requirement for consultation, and hospitalization rates of infectious diseases among the patients who applied to the Emergency Clinic of Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School between June 01, 2004 and January 31, 2005. Within eight months period, 9698 patients applied to the emergency clinic. Presentation associated with one or more symptoms of infectious diseases ranked as the third major complaint (n=1099, 11.33%). The evaluation and treatment plan of 658 (59.8%) out of 1099 patients with infectious disease prediagnosis were performed by an emergency clinic physician. 338 patients (30.8%) were consulted by Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Clinic. Remaining 103 (9.4%) patients were suspected to have infectious diseases by the emergency clinic physician; however, these patients were consulted with various clinics other than the infectious diseases clinic