1) The study assessed the appropriateness of 174 patient admissions to an internal medicine ward in Portugal using the prospective Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP). 2) They found that 17.7% of admissions were inappropriate, similar to other studies in the Iberian Peninsula. The most common reason for appropriateness was intravenous therapy. 3) Patients admitted on weekends had significantly longer hospital stays than those admitted on weekdays, possibly due to lack of elective care on weekends.

1. ID: 0454
THE PROSPECTIVE VERSION OF THE APPROPRIATENESS
Title: EVALUATION PROTOCOL (AEP) IN PORTUGAL: OUR FIRST
EXPERIENCE
Authors: F.J.Rodríguez-Vera, N. Vieira, L. Arez, R. Tomé
Institution: Department of Internal Medicine. Sector I. Hospital do Barlavento Algarvio
City/Country: Portimão.Portugal. EU
Categories: Epidemiology
Presentation: Oral
Abstract:
Introduction
The prospective version of the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP)
gives a view of the inappropriateness accumulated until the time of the
study. In Portugal no studies with this tool have been carried out.
Objective
To know the magnitude and causes of inappropriateness of the
admissions in a ward of Internal Medicine using the prospective version of
the AEP.
Material and Method
Inclusion criteria: patients admitted to the beds 9, 22, 23, 24 of our ward
during 2003.
Exclusion criteria: transfer from other bed of the same Department.
Parameters assessed: demographical (age, gender), clinical
(multiadmission, mortality), appropriateness of the admissions according
the AEP, and managemental (average stay, admissions during the
weekend, department of procedence and time from the arrival to Hospital
to the admission to our ward).
Results
174 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The average age was 72,37
years, with a 67,4% were male. 33,1% had criteria of multiadmission.
Mortality was 11,4%. 17,7% of the admissions were inappropriate. The
most common criteria of appropriateness was utilization of intravenous
therapy (96,5%). The average stay was 8,44 days (SD 6,73). 9,7% were

2. admitted during the weekend and had a significatively longer stay than
those who were admitted during the rest of the week. 5,15% of
admissions came from Departments different to the Emergency. 30% had
a stay longer than 72 hours before being transferred to Internal Medicine.
Conclusions
1. The inappropriateness of the admissions was 17,7%, result similar to
those of other studies carried out in the Iberian Peninsule.
2. The most common criterium for appropriateness was utilization of
intravenous therapy. A careful consideration of the need of parenteral
medication might eventually make the patients tributary of other level of
care than Hospitalary
3. The longer stay of the people admitted during the weekend might be
due to the inexistence of elective medical care during that period. An
specifical program of assistence to the ward on weekends might improve
this parameter.
Granada, June 3rd, 2004
Dear colleague:
It is a pleasure for the Evaluation Committee to let you know that your abstract ´ THE PROSPECTIVE
VERSION OF THE APPROPRIATENESS EVALUATION PROTOCOL (AEP) IN PORTUGAL: OUR
FIRST EXPERIENCE ¡ has been accepted to be presented in the 27th World Congress of Internal Medicine
that will be held in Granada in September 26th to October 1st as an orally presentation.
You will expose your abstract on Thursday, September 30th at 14,30-16,30 p.m. in the Room Picasso .
Please, formalize your registration form and send it to the Organizing Secretariat as soon as possible. The
deadline is June 15th and the registration fee for member are 540€ and no members 600€.
Yours sincerely,
Blas Gil Extremera
President
27th World Congress of Internal Medicine