Comparison of specialist and generalist care

摘要: Objective The choice of whether to admit under a specialist or generalist unit is often made with neither clear rationale nor understanding its consequences. present study compared the characteristics and outcomes patients admitted community-acquired pneumonia either general medicine respiratory unit. Methods This was retrospective cross-sectional using data from public hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia. Over 5 years there were 9775 overnight, unplanned appropriate adult admissions. Patient length hospital stay, in-patient mortality rate 30-day readmission calculated, without adjustment for patient age comorbidity burden. Results 80% these cared by rather than Patients were, on average, 4 older those Comorbidity burdens similar between units at same hospital. Length stay >1 day shorter unit, significant compromise rates. Between each hospital, showed range rates which no obvious explanation. Conclusions Compared speciality care, can safely efficiently care presenting pneumonia. What known about topic? Within narrow any specific disease, medical services are cited as inferior performance service. has implications resourcing, including both staffing ward allocation. does this paper add? demonstrates that most principal diagnosis did not apparently fare worse service; spent less time difference practitioners? provision urban Australia provides safe alternative admission option pneumonia, possibly other common acute conditions.