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Emergency Medical Admissions Scoping Group - Final Report (PDF, 410K, 1.48 mins)

The Emergency Medical Admissions Scoping Group was set up by the former Clinical Resource and Audit Group (CRAG) of the Scottish Executive Health Department in 2002. The work of the Scoping Group continued under the auspices of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland from 1st January 2003.

The purpose of this multi-professional group was to explore the key quality improvement objectives for unscheduled medical admissions that have the potential to improve the quality of care and outcomes for these patients. The focus of this work was the generic issues concerning the patient’s journey of care rather than specific issues relating to particular medical conditions. 

The Scoping Group met 5 times between September 2002 and February 2004. 

A wide range of issues were discussed and four key themes were identified:

1. Assessment of patients who have recurrent admissions within a 12 month period
2. The need for early warning scoring systems to improve recognition of the acutely unwell medical patient
3. The need to develop and increase options for the ambulatory management of patients with emergency medical conditions
4. The need to prioritise the development of an integrated emergency care system.

Supplement to the Report (SEWS Chart) is available by clicking here.

Any queries regarding the report should be directed to:

N.B. Members of the Scoping Group agreed to use the term ‘Unscheduled Care’ when referring to services for patients presenting as emergency medical admissions