ABSTRACT
Objective:
this study's aim was to characterize the demand of patients and the type of care provided in 2013, in emergency services, in the city of Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
Method:
this is a descriptive and analytical study with a quantitative approach. Secondary data were collected from general and managerial reports provided by the information system used by the city's department of health.
Results:
patients seek the emergency services nearest to their homes for situations not characterized as emergencies and that could be taken care of by primary health care units
Conclusion:
most patients originate from the same health district in which the emergency service is located and their reasons for seeking care could not be characterized as urgent or emergency situations. There is a need to qualify primary health care as the coordinator of care and instruct the population regarding the role of each service in the network
DESCRIPTORS:
Health services; Health services needs and demand; Prehospital care Emergency medical services