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Background and Objectives: Rising numbers of patients consulting emergency units are associated with an increased demand for material and personnel. In order to better quantify these resources, we performed an analysis of diagnostic procedures, treatment types, and the quantity and educational level of staff involved in emergency consultations., Patients and Methods: The study was conducted as a prospective single-center survey over twelve months in the dermatology unit of a Germany university hospital. 3155 consultations were included by consecutive sampling., Results: Diagnostic tests (e.g. microbiological swab, blood testing, punch biopsy) were performed in 29 % of all consultations. Physicians prescribed treatment in 70 % of cases, with steroids and antihistamines being the most frequent topical and systemic treatment, respectively. Each patient was seen by at least one physician and a nurse, and in 25 % of cases an additional physician was involved. Less than thirty minutes was required for the consultation in the vast majority of cases. On average, emergency consultations required two hours per day of the treating physician's time, not including the time of other involved staff such as nurses and laboratory technicians., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the extent of resources involved in the treatment of dermatological emergency consultations., (© 2019 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background and Objectives: Recently, there have been increasing numbers of patients consulting emergency units in all medical disciplines. Our aim was to analyze the demographics, referral mode, symptoms, localization of lesions, prior treatment, diagnoses and hospitalization rate of dermatological patients., Patient and Methods: The study was conducted as a prospective single center survey over six months in the dermatology unit of a university hospital in Germany. 1552 consultations were included with consecutive sampling., Results: The study cohort had a mean age of 41 years and included 53 % females. Nearly half of the patients lived less than 10 kilometers from the study center. 72 % of patients referred themselves. The main symptoms were itching and occurrence of a rash; these symptoms had been present for more than a week on average. A general manifestation was present on the skin in most cases. 55 % of patients were seen by a dermatologist or a general practitioner before the consultation. Prior treatment had been received in 49 % of cases. Eight percent of patients were hospitalized. Eczema was the most common diagnosis, followed by urticaria and scabies., Conclusions: This study confirms that a considerable number of patients present with non-urgent diagnoses. Careful prescreening and sensitization of the population may be necessary to reverse this trend., (© 2018 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)