NON-URGENT VISITS TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AT SVIMS, TIRUPATI: A RETROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Background: Non-urgent visits to emergency departments (EDs) can contribute to resource strain and decreased efficiency in delivering care to critical patients. This study aimed to evaluate the proportion, characteristics, and temporal trends of non-urgent ED visits at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using data from patients visiting the ED over a one-month period. Patient demographics, presenting complaints, triage categories, and visit timings were analyzed. Non-urgent visits were defined as those classified under Triage Categories 3 (Non-Urgent) and 4 (Routine). Statistical tests, including Chi-square and ANOVA, were used to assess associations and differences in the data. Results: Out of 700 ED visits, 500 (71.43%) were non-urgent. The most common presenting complaints among non-urgent cases were chest pain (23%), abdominal pain (18%), and breathing difficulty (15%). Middle-aged individuals (31–50 years) and males constituted the majority of non-urgent visits. Visits peaked during morning hours (50%) and on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays (24%). Statistically significant associations were found between presenting complaints and age groups (p=0.02p = 0.02p=0.02). Conclusion: The high proportion of non-urgent ED visits highlights the need for public education on appropriate healthcare settings and the enhancement of outpatient services. Temporal trends and demographic patterns can inform targeted interventions to optimize ED utilization.