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Re-presentations to the Emergency Department for older persons experiencing pain: A retrospective cohort study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Re-presentations to the Emergency Department for older persons experiencing pain: A retrospective cohort study

Carla Sunner, Breanne Hobden, Lucy Leigh, Caroline Kuhne, Carolyn Hullick, Sarah Scharfe and Ritin Fernandez
International emergency nursing, Vol.86, pp.1-7
06/2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ienj.2026.101799
PMID: 41825280
Appears in  Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract

Aged Emergency Department Pain Patient readmission Re-presentation Return visit(s) Revisit Triage
Background: Pain is a leading reason for Emergency Department (ED) presentations among older adults, yet the prevalence and characteristics of pain-related 48-hours re-presentations remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective analysis of ED presentations among patients aged ≥65 years was conducted. Descriptive statistics characterised the cohort, and univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified factors associated with 48-hour re-presentation. Results: Of 151,052 ED index patient visits, 44,334 were pain-related, and more than half (56.8%) re-presented for pain. Identified factors; regional areas inner (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2–1.6) and outer (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–2.1), ambulance transfer (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.3), musculoskeletal conditions (OR 4.1, 95% CI 3.3–5.0) or higher triage acuity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.1–3.6). However, patients aged ≥85 years (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.91) and/or from aged care (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36–0.80) or community-based appointments (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54–0.93) had lower odds of re-presentation. Conclusions: This study identified groups potentially at higher risk highlighting the need for targeted pain management, structured follow-up, and improved access to community and specialist care to reduce recurrent visits.

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