Emergency Department

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 Emergency care includes care provided by emergency departments and emergency services. For the purposes of activity based funding, emergency departments and emergency services are categorised into seven emergency care categories based on service provision, staffing and location. 

Emergency departments, often referred to as EDs, are dedicated hospital-based facilities specifically designed and staffed to provide 24-hour emergency care. The role of an emergency department is to diagnose and treat acute and urgent illnesses and injuries. Patients are seen in order of medical urgency with non-urgent patients being seen after more acute patients.

Emergency services are small facilities designed and staffed for 24-hour nursing care and access to medical practitioners. The role of an emergency service is to provide first aid and treatment for non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Patients are treated at an emergency service prior to being referred to a higher level of service if required.

Data collected at the emergency department or the emergency service is reported to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authorities.

The data collected includes:

• the type of visit for the presentation (that is, whether it is an emergency presentation; a planned return visit; or a pre-arranged admission)
• what happens to the patient once the emergency presentation is complete (for example, the patient may be admitted to hospital; be discharged or transferred to another hospital; or may choose to leave before treatment is completed)
• how urgently the patient needs to receive treatment, based on the triage score given to the patient upon initial assessment
• how the patient arrived (for example, did the patient travel by ambulance or helicopter)
• the diagnosis given for the presentation.