Dermatologists in hospital wards: an 8-year study of dermatology consultations.

BACKGROUND

The value of dermatologists as consultants is increasing.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the activity of dermatologists as inpatient consultants.

METHODS

Retrospective study of consultations to Dermatology of inpatients, visits per consultation, referral service, procedures performed, delay until visit and diagnoses based on ICD-9.

RESULTS

3,144 requests generated 4,824 visits, 200 biopsies, 107 cultures and other procedures. The mean delay between request and visit was 0.75 days. The requesting service was recorded in 3,097 cases: 21.5% by Internal Medicine, 11.4% by Pediatrics, 8.3% by Neurology and 6.2% by the Infectious Diseases Unit. Follow-up was recommended in 12.4% by the Dermatology Service and in 8% by a dermatologist. Reliable diagnoses were recorded for 2,832 consultations. The most frequent diagnostic groups were diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (ICD-9: 680-709) in 58%, infectious and parasitic diseases (ICD-9: 001-139) in 20%, and neoplasm (ICD-9: 140-239) in 5.7%. The most frequent diagnoses were contact dermatitis (ICD-9: 692.X) in 8.9%, drug reactions (ICD-9: 693.0) in 7.4%, candidiasis (ICD-9:112.X) in 7.1% and seborrheic dermatitis (ICD-9: 690) in 5.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Most diagnoses were of a specific cutaneous disease and the dermatologist would be in the best position to evaluate those that inpatients acquire.