Factors associated with revisit and admission in patients complaining of fever that are discharged from the emergency department

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with both emergency department (ED) revisit, and hospital admission of patients complaining of fever that have previously been seen and discharged from the ED. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From September, 2003 to April, 2004, 300 patients complaining of fever were discharged from the ED. Revisit rate and admission rate were calculated. Factors from the first visit associated with revisit, and revisit and admission were assessed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Fifty-one (17%) patients were revisit, 26 (9%) of whom were finally admitted. The independent factors associated with revisit were: age greater than 65 (OR = 1.96; p = 0.01), presence of comorbidity (OR = 3.23; p = 0.01), and C-reactive protein higher than 15 mg/dl (OR = 6.67; p = 0.02). The independent factors associated with revisit and admission were: age greater than 65 (OR = 4.51; p = 0.03), and presence of comorbidity (OR 3.31; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: One-sixth of patients complaining of fever that are discharged from an ED will be seen again. These patients are also more likely to be admitted if they are older than 65 and have any comorbidity present.