Health policy
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Studies have found that one-third to two-thirds of all patients attending Accident and Emergency (A and E) Departments could be managed appropriately by general practitioners (GPs). There is also evidence that referral to GPs can be acceptable to patients. The question of primary concern is screening non-urgent cases with high degrees of sensitivity (S), specificity (SP), and positive predictive value (PPV). ⋯ Hong Kong's current use of a five-point urgency scale by nurses would be further refined for identifying non-urgent visitors. If a mechanism was put in place for additional screening on visitors with a borderline semi-urgent or non-urgent status, the nurses could safely reassign non-urgent patients to GP care. If implemented, a significant impact on hospital costs could be realized.