Episode of admitted patient care—admission urgency status

Whether the admission has an urgency status assigned and, if so, whether admission occurred on an emergency basis.

An emergency admission is an admission of a patient for care or treatment which, in the opinion of the treating clinician, is necessary and admission for which should occur within 24 hours.

An elective admission is an admission of a patient for care or treatment which, in the opinion of the treating clinician, is necessary and admission for which can be delayed for at least 24 hours.

Admissions for which an urgency status is usually not assigned are:

• admissions for normal delivery (obstetric)
• admissions which begin with the birth of the patient, or when it was intended that the birth occur in the hospital, commence shortly after the birth of the patient
• statistical admissions
• planned readmissions for the patient to receive limited care or treatment for a current condition, for example dialysis or chemotherapy.