Objective:

Compare the adequacy of emergency consultations of the adolescent patients being cared by the pediatricians (12 to 14 years) and those who are not (15 to 18 years).

Method:

Cross-sectional study with patients in the ages from 12 to 18 years who attended the Emergency Service of La Salud Hospital in Valencia during 2018. The adequacy criteria were based on the Adequacy Protocol of Hospital Emergencies. Adequacy variables were described by frequencies and Fisher's exact test and odds ratio were used as a comparison method. In all cases, the hypothesis contrasts were bilateral, with a confidence level of 95% and the null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected with p<0.05 value.

Results:

Of the total episodes, 64.9% (n= 226) were suitable for emergency services. This distribution was similar within each of the age groups and no significant difference could be made between the two (p= 0.283). Significant differences were found in the criteria of diagnostic intensity and attention time by gender.

Conclusions:

The figures are indicative of misuse of the emergency service by a part of the adolescent patients, whether or not they are being followed up by the pediatrician. This may be a sign of the healthcare gap in which these patients are located.

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