Study: Access to After-Hours Primary Care Predicts ED Use

Patients who have difficulty accessing a primary care physician after hours go to the emergency department more than patients who do have this access, according to a study in Health Affairs.

Researchers analyzed the 2010 Health Tracking Household Survey. They found that 40.2 percent of people with a usual source of primary care reported their practice had extended hours, such as at night or on weekends.

Data showed that 16.9 percent of people with a usual source of primary care tried to contact their practice after hours in the previous 12 months. Among these patients, 20.8 percent reported found it was "very difficult" or "somewhat difficult" to contact a clinician, while 79.2 percent reported it was "not too difficult" or "not at all difficult."

Of the patients who had more difficulty contacting a clinician after hours, 37.7 percent went to the ED, while only 30.4 percent of patients with less difficulty accessing a physician visited the ED. Furthermore, 13.7 percent of patients with less access to after-hours primary care reported an unmet medical need compared with 6.1 percent of patients with this access.

More Articles on ED Utilization:

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NYC Hospitals See 10% Plus Patient Volume Increases Due to Hurricane Sandy

Hospital ERs Begin Charging Non-Emergency Fees to Combat Overcrowding

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