The emergency department (ED) is a busy environment where many patients with infections are seen every day, ranging from mild cases to sepsis, which is life-threatening. Accurately measuring and understanding the quality of care delivered to this large patient group is crucial, yet there was no reliable way to identify patients with a suspected infection for quality evaluation. A reliable definition was developed using a literature review, input from clinical experts, and artificial intelligence, enabling the correct patient group to be selected for quality measurement. This thesis also examined what patients consider important during their ED visit. A validated questionnaire and interviews revealed clear areas for improvement. Finally, it became evident that good emergency care does not end at ED discharge; patients were often not followed up properly, which can lead to unnecessarily prolonged antibiotic use, for example. This thesis therefore provides tools to improve care for patients with infections — from arrival to returning home.
Renée Tuinte (1996) obtained her master’s degree in medicine from Radboud University in 2022. She then started her PhD research at the Department of Internal Medicine at Radboudumc. She currently works as a junior doctor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital.