Several studies revealing similar non-urgent ED visit rates for frequent ED patients and typical ED patients were presented at a scientific meeting of ACEP. “Despite being demonized as abusers of the healthcare system, the studies find that frequent users represent a small percentage of the total number of emergency patients and that most seek emergency care appropriately,” the release states.
Depending on the definition of “frequent user,” ED patients who visit the ED most often account for between 11.5 and 39.7 percent of all ED visits, according to the release.
The studies also showed that frequent ED users are more likely to be on Medicare or Medicaid and to have psychiatric illnesses, according to the release.
More Articles on ED Utilization:
Report: Adults Made Fewer Medical Visits 2010 vs. 2001
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of N.C. Invests in FastMed Urgent Care to Promote Appropriate ED Use
Managing the Care Transition: The Impact of the ED Disposition Decision
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