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Korczak V, Seimon R, Bein K, Jan S, Lung T, Dinh M. Socioeconomic determinants of very frequent presentations to emergency departments in New South Wales, Australia: A state wide data linkage study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36520. [PMID: 39286154 PMCID: PMC11402644 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To describe the clinical and longitudinal patterns of presentation, and to understand the underlying socioeconomic characteristics of different modes of presentation. Design Retrospective state-wide data linkage analysis of emergency department (ED) presentations. Patients were included if they were 18 years of age or over and presented to the ED over twenty times within any consecutive 365-day period between January 2015 and December 2020. This analysis used routinely collected data from the Emergency Department Data Collection and Admitted Patient Data Collection. The quintile of Socioeconomic Indexes for Area (SEIFA) defined by Australian Bureau of Statistics was used for equity considerations. Main outcome measures The main outcomes of interest included patients' clinical presentation, demographic information and SEIFA score as represented by Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD) quintiles. Results There were 417,154 presentations and 5,244 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the presentations were from SEIFA groups 1 (28.2 %) and 2 (35.6 %). The most common presentations were for drug and alcohol (17.5 %), followed by abdominal pathology (11.8 %) and mental health (11.5 %). In the lowest SEIFA group, the main presenting complaints were for drug and alcohol and administrative presentations. While in the highest SEIFA group, the main presentations were for mental health then abdominal pain, followed by drug and alcohol presentations. Conclusion Patients in the lower SEIFA groups tended to be older with lower acuity presentations and were more likely to present to the same facility, more regularly. Patients in the lower SEIFA group were also more likely to present with drug and alcohol and administrative presentations while those in the higher SEIFA groups were more likely to present with mental health presentations. System wide interventions are needed to address the needs of both groups, particularly those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who would benefit from improved access to primary care either through access to General Practice or Urgent Care Centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Korczak
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
- Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney, Australia
| | - Radhika Seimon
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kendall Bein
- Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stephen Jan
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Lung
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Dinh
- Emergency Department, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney, Australia
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Moon F, Knott J, Feely S. Examining management plans for patients who frequently presented to the emergency department. Australas Emerg Care 2024; 27:114-118. [PMID: 37923610 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients who frequently present to Emergency Department (ED) experience complex health and social needs. While research has examined interventions that aim to decrease frequent ED attendances, there is a need to understand the types of interventions provided to patients by hospital clinicians during presentations. METHODS Using qualitative content analysis, 82 management plans were evaluated to understand the scope and type of interventions provided by clinicians for patients frequently presenting to the ED at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia. RESULTS Patients often presented to the ED due to mental and psychological distress, substance use and physical health concerns alongside psychosocial vulnerabilities. The goals of care documented in plans focussed on management of health issues, aggression within the ED, and coordinating care with community services. Recommended interventions addressed presenting needs with multi-disciplinary approach to respond to distress and aggression. Finally, the plans provided insight into service coordination dynamics between the ED and community-based health and social care services. CONCLUSIONS The plans recommended interventions that sought to provide holistic care for patients in collaboration with relevant community-based services. The findings suggest that clinicians in the ED can provide appropriate and meaningful care for patients who experience frequent presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Moon
- Emergency Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.
| | - Jonathan Knott
- Emergency Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; Department of Critical Care, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
| | - Siobhan Feely
- Emergency Department, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia
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Stanford D, Dinh MM, Eastwood JG, Korczak V, Seimon RV, Moore C, Liu H, Bein KJ. Clinical and longitudinal patterns of frequent presenters to emergency departments: A multi-centre data linkage analysis. Emerg Med Australas 2024; 36:277-282. [PMID: 38172087 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe clinical characteristics and longitudinal patterns of representation in a cohort of patients who frequently present to EDs for care. METHODS A retrospective data analysis linking routinely collected ED data across three hospitals. The study population consisted of patients who presented to any ED on 10 or more occasions in any continuous 365-day period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2021. Presenting complaints were divided into those with any mental health, drug and alcohol, or social presentations (MHDAS group) and those without (non-MHDAS group). Outcomes of interest were number of presentations as well as temporal and facility clustering of presentations. A per patient regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for increased presentations. RESULTS Presentations by 1640 frequent ED presenters in the study constituted 4.6% of total ED presentations. MHDAS study group were younger, predominantly English speaking, twice as likely to be married, had lower hospital admission rates and almost three times as many of them did not wait for treatment. Statistically significant differences were also found between these groups regarding presentation clustering, facility entropy, each of the four categories of the number of ED presentations, and Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage. CONCLUSION Representations associated with MHDAS have a different trajectory of representation episodes compared to non-MHDAS group. Escalating number of presentations and clustering are important predictors of future representation numbers. Those 'did not waits' who appear to be representing would be the highest risk of ongoing and persistent representations in the future and should be the target of early interventions to ensure they are accessing appropriate care before this happens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorota Stanford
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michael M Dinh
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John G Eastwood
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Viola Korczak
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Radhika V Seimon
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Corey Moore
- Public Health Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hueiming Liu
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kendall J Bein
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- RPA Green Light Institute for Emergency Care, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Fleury MJ, Cao Z, Grenier G. Characteristics for Low, High and Very High Emergency Department Use for Mental Health Diagnoses from Health Records and Structured Interviews. West J Emerg Med 2024; 25:144-154. [PMID: 38596910 PMCID: PMC11000562 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.18327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with mental health diagnoses (MHD) are among the most frequent emergency department (ED) users, suggesting the importance of identifying additional factors associated with their ED use frequency. In this study we assessed various patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and service use associated with low ED users (1-3 visits/year), compared to high (4-7) and very high (8+) ED users with MHD. Methods Our study was conducted in four large Quebec (Canada) ED networks. A total of 299 patients with MHD were randomly recruited from these ED in 2021-2022. Structured interviews complemented data from network health records, providing extensive data on participant profiles and their quality of care. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to compare low ED use to high and very high ED use. Results Over a 12-month period, 39% of patients were low ED users, 37% high, and 24% very high ED users. Compared with low ED users, those at greater probability for high or very high ED use exhibited more violent/disturbed behaviors or social problems, chronic physical illnesses, and barriers to unmet needs. Patients previously hospitalized 1-2 times had lower risk of high or very high ED use than those not previously hospitalized. Compared with low ED users, high and very high ED users showed higher prevalence of personality disorders and suicidal behaviors, respectively. Women had greater probability of high ED use than men. Patients living in rental housing had greater probability of being very high ED users than those living in private housing. Using at least 5+ primary care services and being recurrent ED users two years prior to the last year of ED use had increased probability of very high ED use. Conclusion Frequency of ED use was associated with complex issues and higher perceived barriers to unmet needs among patients. Very high ED users had more severe recurrent conditions, such as isolation and suicidal behaviors, despite using more primary care services. Results suggested substantial reduction of barriers to care and improvement on both access and continuity of care for these vulnerable patients, integrating crisis resolution and supported housing services. Limited hospitalizations may sometimes be indicated, protecting against ED use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Josée Fleury
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Zhirong Cao
- Douglas Mental Health University Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Guy Grenier
- Douglas Mental Health University Research Centre, Montreal, Canada
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Rehman T, Wiler J. A Missed Opportunity: Reimbursing Social Determinants of Health Screenings and Interventions in Emergency Departments. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2024; 30:8-11. [PMID: 37498543 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tehreem Rehman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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Sillero-Rejon C, Kirbyshire M, Thorpe R, Myring G, Evans C, Lloyd-Rees J, Bezer A, McLeod H. Supporting High-impAct useRs in Emergency Departments (SHarED) quality improvement: a mixed-method evaluation. BMJ Open Qual 2023; 12:e002496. [PMID: 38114246 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need to better manage frequent attenders or high-impact users (HIUs) in hospital emergency departments (EDs) is widely recognised. These patients often have complex medical needs and are also frequent users of other health and care services. The West of England Academic Health Science Network launched its Supporting High impAct useRs in Emergency Departments (SHarED) quality improvement programme to spread a local HIU intervention across six other EDs in five Trusts. AIM SHarED aimed to reduce ED attendance and hospital admissions by 20% for enrolled HIUs. To evaluate the implementation of SHarED, we sought to learn about the experience of staff with HIU roles and their ED colleagues and assess the impact on HIU attendance and admissions. METHODS We analysed a range of data including semistructured interviews with 10 HIU staff; the number of ED staff trained in HIU management; an ED staff experience survey; and ED attendances and hospital admissions for 148 HIUs enrolled in SHarED. RESULTS Staff with HIU roles were unanimously positive about the benefits of SHarED for both staff and patients. SHarED contributed to supporting ED staff with patient-centred recommendations and provided the basis for more integrated case management across the health and care system. 55% of ED staff received training. There were improvements in staff views relating to confidence, support, training and HIUs receiving more appropriate care. The mean monthly ED attendance per HIU reduced over time. Follow-up data for 86% (127/148) of cases showed a mean monthly ED attendances per HIU reduced by 33%, from 2.1 to 1.4, between the 6 months pre-enrolment and post-enrolment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION SHarED illustrates the considerable potential for a quality improvement programme to promote more integrated case management by specialist teams across the health and care system for particularly vulnerable individuals and improve working arrangements for hard-pressed staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sillero-Rejon
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Thorpe
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Gareth Myring
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Evans
- Health Innovation West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Johanna Lloyd-Rees
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Angela Bezer
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Hugh McLeod
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
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Rosychuk RJ, Chen AA, Ospina MB, McRae AD, Hu XJ, McLane P. Transitions in health care settings for frequent and infrequent users of emergency departments: a population-based retrospective cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1250. [PMID: 37964274 PMCID: PMC10644485 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10260-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to reduce emergency department (ED) volumes often target frequent users. We examined transitions in care across ED, hospital, and community settings, and in-hospital death, for high system users (HSUs) compared to controls. METHODS Population-based databases provided ED visits and hospitalizations in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. The retrospective cohort included the top 10% of all the ED users during 2015/2016 (termed HSUs) and a random sample of controls (4 per each HSU) from the bottom 90% per province. Rates of transitions among ED, hospitalization, community settings, and in-hospital mortality were adjusted for sociodemographic and ED variables in a multistate statistical model. RESULTS There were 2,684,924 patients and 579,230 (21.6%) were HSUs. Patient characteristics associated with shorter community to ED transition times for HSUs included Alberta residence (ratio of hazard ratio [RHR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11,1.12), living in areas in the lower income quintile (RHR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.06,1.06), and Ontario residents without a primary health care provider (RHR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.13,1.14). Once at the ED, characteristics associated with shorter ED to hospital transition times for HSUs included higher acuity (e.g., RHR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.61, 1.81 for emergent), and for many diagnoses including chest pain (RHR = 1.71, 95%CI 1.65,1.76) and gastrointestinal (RHR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.62,1.71). Once admitted to hospital, HSUs did not necessarily have longer stays except for conditions such as chest pain (RHR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.86, 0.95). HSUs had shorter times to death in the ED if they presented for cancer (RHR = 2.51), congestive heart failure (RHR = 1.93), myocardial infarction (RHR = 1.53), and stroke (RHR = 1.84), and shorter times to death in-hospital if they presented with cancer (RHR = 1.29). CONCLUSIONS Differences between HSUs and controls in predictors of transitions among care settings were identified. Co-morbidities and limitations in access to primary care are associated with more rapid transitions from community to ED and hospital among HSUs. Interventions targeting these challenges may better serve patients across health systems.. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhonda J Rosychuk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1C9, Canada.
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Anqi A Chen
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Maria B Ospina
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Andrew D McRae
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 2T9, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - X Joan Hu
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Patrick McLane
- Emergency Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3E4, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R7, Canada
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Klein S, Eaton KP, Bodnar BE, Keller SC, Helgerson P, Parsons AS. Transforming Health Care from Volume to Value: Leveraging Care Coordination Across the Continuum. Am J Med 2023; 136:985-990. [PMID: 37481020 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Klein
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, New York
| | - Kevin P Eaton
- Department of Medicine, New York University Langone Health, Brooklyn
| | - Benjamin E Bodnar
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Sara C Keller
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Paul Helgerson
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville
| | - Andrew S Parsons
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville.
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Mao W, Shalaby R, Agyapong VIO. Interventions to Reduce Repeat Presentations to Hospital Emergency Departments for Mental Health Concerns: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11081161. [PMID: 37107995 PMCID: PMC10138571 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11081161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of readmissions to the emergency department (ED) for mental health services each year is significant, which increases healthcare costs and negatively affects the morale and quality of life of patients and their families. OBJECT This scoping review aimed to establish a better understanding of interventions that have been implemented to reduce psychiatric patient readmission and ED use within the ED, to identify areas for improvement, and therefore to assist in the development of more effective actions in the future. METHOD The scoping review was conducted on several bibliographic databases to identify relevant studies. Two researchers independently screened and reviewed titles, abstracts, and full-text articles that met the inclusion criteria. Using Covidence software, 26 out of 6951 studies were eligible for inclusion in this scoping review based on the PRISMA checklist. Data were extracted, collated, summarized, presented, and discussed. RESULT This review identified 26 studies which examined interventions aimed to reduce ED visits, such as the High Alert Program (HAP), the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH), the Primary Behavioral Health Care Integration (PBHCI), and the Collaborative Care (CC) Program, etc. Twenty-three of the studies were conducted in North America, while the rest were conducted in Europe and Australia. A total of 16 studies examined interventions directed to any mental health conditions, while the rest addressed specific health conditions, such as substance use disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression. Interventions involved comprehensive and multidisciplinary services, incorporation of evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological strategies, and emphasized the case management that was found to be effective. Additionally, there was a marked consideration for diverse mental health groups, such as those with substance use disorder and of young age. Most interventions showed a positive effect on reducing psychiatric ED visits. CONCLUSION Various initiatives have been implemented worldwide to reduce the number of emergency department visits and the associated burden on healthcare systems. This review highlights the greater need for developing more accessible interventions, as well as setting up a comprehensive community health care system aiming to reduce frequent ED presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Mao
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Reham Shalaby
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
| | - Vincent Israel Opoku Agyapong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, 5909 Veterans, Memorial Lane, 8th Floor Abbie J. Lane Memorial Building, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, NS B3H 2E2, Canada
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Scott J, Pakpahan E, Marlow B, Daxner N. Defining a threshold above which an adult can be considered to frequently use ambulance services: a retrospective cross-sectional study of emergency calls to an ambulance service in England. Br Paramed J 2023; 7:35-45. [PMID: 36875826 PMCID: PMC9983062 DOI: 10.29045/14784726.2023.3.7.4.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective There is no empirical definition of adult frequent use of ambulance services. This study aimed to define a threshold, and utilise this to explore characteristics of people frequently using services. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study in a single ambulance service in England. Routinely collected, pseudo-anonymised call- and patient-level data were collected for two months (January and June 2019). Incidents, defined as independent episodes of care, were analysed using a zero-truncated Poisson regression model to determine a suitable frequent-use threshold, with comparisons subsequently made between frequent and non-frequent users. Results A total of 101,356 incidents involving 83,994 patients were included in the analysis. Two potentially appropriate thresholds were identified: five incidents per month (A); and six incidents per month (B). Threshold A produced 3137 incidents from 205 patients, with five patients likely false-positive identifications. Threshold B produced 2217 incidents from 95 patients, with no false-positive identifications but 100 false-negatives compared to threshold A. Regardless of threshold, frequent users compared to non-frequent users had relatively reduced service use between 08:00 and 15:00, were younger and were more likely to receive lower-priority responses (all p < 0.001). We identified several chief complaints indicative of increased frequent use, including chest pain, psychiatric/suicide attempt and abdominal pains/problems. Conclusions We suggest a threshold of five incidents per month, with recognition that a small number of patients may be incorrectly identified as using ambulance services frequently. The rationale for this choice is discussed. This threshold may be applicable in wider UK settings and could be used for the routine automated identification of people using ambulance services frequently. The identified characteristics can help inform interventions. Future research should examine applicability of this threshold in other UK ambulance services and countries where patterns and determinants of frequent ambulance use may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nathan Daxner
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
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11
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Molina M, Evans J, Montoy JC, Cawley C, Graham-Squire D, Perez K, Raven M, Kanzaria HK. Analysis of Emergency Department Encounters Among High Users of Health Care and Social Service Systems Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2239076. [PMID: 36306131 PMCID: PMC9617170 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.39076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Although the general US population had fewer emergency department (ED) visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, patterns of use among high users are unknown. OBJECTIVES To examine natural trends in ED visits among high users of health and social services during an extended period and assess whether these trends differed during COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective cohort study combined data from 9 unique cohorts, 1 for each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) from 2012 to 2021, and used mixed-effects, negative binomial regression to model ED visits over time and assess ED use among the top 5% of high users of multiple systems during COVID-19. Data were obtained from the Coordinated Care Management System, a San Francisco Department of Public Health platform that integrates medical and social information with service use. EXPOSURES Fiscal year 2020 was defined as the COVID-19 year. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Measured variables were age, gender, language, race and ethnicity, homelessness, insurance status, jail health encounters, mental health and substance use diagnoses, and mortality. The main outcome was annual mean ED visit counts. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were used to describe changes in ED visit rates both over time and in COVID-19 vs non-COVID-19 years. RESULTS Of the 8967 participants, 3289 (36.7%) identified as White, 3005 (33.5%) as Black, and 1513 (16.9%) as Latinx; and 7932 (88.5%) preferred English. The mean (SD) age was 46.7 (14.2) years, 6071 (67.7%) identified as men, and 7042 (78.5%) had experienced homelessness. A statistically significant decrease was found in annual mean ED visits among high users for every year of follow-up until year 8, with the largest decrease occurring in the first year of follow-up (IRR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.40-0.43). However, during the pandemic, ED visits decreased 25% beyond the mean reduction seen in prepandemic years (IRR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.72-0.79). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, multiple cohorts of the top 5% of high users of multiple health care systems in San Francisco had sustained annual decreases in ED visits from 2012 to 2021, with significantly greater decreases during COVID-19. Further research is needed to elucidate pandemic-specific factors associated with these findings and understand how this change in use was associated with health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Molina
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Jennifer Evans
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Juan Carlos Montoy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Caroline Cawley
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
- Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Dave Graham-Squire
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Kenneth Perez
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Maria Raven
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Hemal K. Kanzaria
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, Center for Vulnerable Populations, University of California, San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
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Elston J, Gradinger FP, Streeter AJ, Macey S, Martin S. Effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case management service on activity in an Emergency Department in the UK: a pragmatic difference-in-differences evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1038. [PMID: 35965330 PMCID: PMC9376120 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08415-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluates the effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case management service that aimed to reduce ED attendance amongst frequent attenders, known to disproportionately contribute to demand. Evidence on the effectiveness of these services varies. METHODS A 24-month controlled before-and-after study, following 808 patients (128 cases and 680 controls (41 were non-compliant)) who were offered the service in the first four months of operation within a UK ED department. Patients stratified as high-risk of reattending ED within 6 months by a predictive model were manually screened. Those positively reviewed were offered a non-clinical, nurse-led, telephone-based health coaching, consisting of care planning, coordination and goal setting for up to 9 months. Service effectiveness was estimated using a difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis. Incident rate of ED and Minor Injury Unit (MIU) attendances and average length of stay in intervention recipients and controls over 12 months after receiving their service offer following ED attendance were compared, adjusting for the prior 12-month period, sex and age, to give an incidence rate ratio (IRR). RESULTS Intervention recipients were more likely to be female (63.3% versus 55.4%), younger (mean of 69 years versus 76 years), and have higher levels of ED activity (except for MIU) than controls. Mean rates fell between periods for all outcomes (except for MIU attendance). The Intention-to-Treat analysis indicated non-statistically significant effect of the intervention in reducing all outcomes, except for MIU attendances, with IRRs: ED attendances, 0.856 (95% CI: 0.631, 1.160); ED admissions, 0.871 (95% CI: 0.628, 1.208); length of stay for emergency and elective admissions: 0.844 (95% CI: 0.619, 1.151) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.420, 1.454). MIU attendance increased with an IRR: 2.638 (95% CI: 1.041, 6.680). CONCLUSIONS Telephone-based health coaching appears to be effective in reducing ED attendances and admissions, with shorter lengths of stay, in intervention recipients over controls. Future studies need to capture outcomes beyond acute activity, and better understand how services like this provide added value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Elston
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torbay, UK. .,Community and Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
| | - Felix P Gradinger
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torbay, UK.,Community and Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Adam J Streeter
- Medical Statistics, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.,Institute for Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephen Macey
- Planning and Performance, Torbay and South Devon, NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torquay, UK
| | - Susan Martin
- Quality Improvement, Torbay and South Devon, NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torquay, UK
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13
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Monthly Identification of High Frequency Emergency Presenters to Improve Care Delivery and Evaluation: A Unique Methodological Approach. Ochsner J 2022; 22:313-318. [PMID: 36561111 PMCID: PMC9753952 DOI: 10.31486/toj.22.0080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Frequent presenters to emergency departments (EDs) pose many challenges around care delivery and health service management. The aim of this study was to investigate the presentation patterns of people with 5 or more ED visits in any calendar month (5+ frequent presenter [FP5+]) to develop a useful methodological framework on which the real impact of interventions may be assessed. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of de-identified frequent ED presentation data using segmented regression analysis of an interrupted time series (ITS). Results: A total of 82 FP5+ to this single ED were identified in a year. Of these presenters, 77% had 10 or more presentations in a year. The total FP5+ presentations in the 12 months preceding and after each participant's ≥5 presentations in 1 month (the trigger month for inclusion in the study) accounted for 1,064 and 1,606 visits, respectively. ITS analysis of frequent ED presentations did not show a significant level change or trend change during the data collection period. Monthly review of people who frequently present to a single ED showed that presentations typically occurred in bouts that may span calendar years. Presentation bouts then typically slow, potentially distorting evaluation of the effects of interventions. Conclusion: Rolling monthly examination of presentation data may facilitate timely case review and care delivery, as well as provide a holistic picture of the impacts of interventions targeting patient care needs. This unique analysis demands a reconsideration of the typical before-and-after analysis of interventions for this vulnerable and high-cost group of patients.
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14
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Mak CCM, Mao DRH, Siddiqui FJ, Lim A, Davamoni-Thomas J, Tang JP, Bachik R, Ng CWL, Kandasami G, Lee C. A new paradigm in management of frequent attenders to emergency departments with severe alcohol use disorder-A pilot study for assertive community treatment in Singapore. FRONTIERS IN HEALTH SERVICES 2022; 2:1029455. [PMID: 36925838 PMCID: PMC10012780 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2022.1029455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Introduction A majority of frequent users of emergency medical services in Singapore present with alcohol-related problems. These patients are known to engage poorly with traditional addiction services and frequently attend Emergency Departments (EDs) instead, resulting in high healthcare burden. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an alternative intervention to traditional addiction management. ACT involves community visits with focus on holistic care and harm-reduction. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective before-and-after cohort study at the major tertiary center for addiction disorders in Singapore. The main objective was to evaluate effectiveness of ACT in reducing alcohol-related attendances at EDs nationwide. Socio-demographics, alcohol-related ED attendances, and the Christo Inventory for Substance-misuse Services (CISS) scores were collected for the patients recruited from April 2018 to March 2019. Descriptive analyses and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test were performed. Results All 14 patients were male with a mean age of 55 years. There was a significant 45.3% reduction in average alcohol-related ED attendances from 6.8 (range 3-22, median 5.5) in the pre-intervention 6-month period, to 3.7 (range 0-28, median 1.5) in the post-intervention 6-month period (Z = -2.244, p = 0.025). CISS scores showed significant improvement from a pre-intervention median of 13.5 (range 9-16) to a post-intervention median of 6.5 (range 1-10, p = 0.001), corresponding to reduction in alcohol-related problem severity. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that ACT can be effective in reducing alcohol-related ED attendances and alcohol-related problem severity in patients with AUD who frequently attend ED. A multicenter, prospective study using ACT for such patients across four hospitals in Singapore is currently underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Chia Meng Mak
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Fahad Javaid Siddiqui
- Prehospital and Emergency Care Research Center (PERC), Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alex Lim
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jayson Davamoni-Thomas
- Population Health & Community Transformation, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - June Peiwen Tang
- Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service, Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rozinah Bachik
- Education Office, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charis Wei Ling Ng
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Cheng Lee
- National Addictions Management Service, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
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15
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Binnie V, Le Brocque R, Jessup M, Johnston ANB. Illustrating a novel methodology and paradigm applied to Emergency Department research. J Adv Nurs 2021; 77:4045-4054. [PMID: 34462947 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM To provide a practical example of how a novel methodology and paradigm was applied to a mixed methods study exploring the healthcare experiences of Australian adults who frequently use emergency department services. DESIGN Discussion Paper. DATA SOURCES We explored published literature discussing philosophical and methodological issues related to mixed methods research. Literature searches were performed between July 2019 and February 2021. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Phenomenology is a powerful methodology to explore the lived experience of research participants, but it is not without limitations. Mixed methods phenomenology allows nurse researchers to bring further clarity to their research phenomena, however, including phenomenology in mixed methods studies may be seen to be philosophically incompatible. The philosophical metaparadigm of dialectical pluralism provides nurse researchers with a new coherent methodological and philosophical framework for combining participants' descriptions of lived experience with a variety of data collection methods. It is effective when working with transdisciplinary research teams, and stakeholders representing diverse values and disciplines. CONCLUSION Complex healthcare environments require sophisticated, flexible research approaches. This paper presents mixed methods phenomenological research combined with the metaparadigm of dialectical pluralism providing a methodological framework that can support multifaceted nursing research. IMPACT The combination of mixed methods phenomenology and dialectical pluralism represents a novel solution for nurse researchers to articulate a research methodology and philosophical paradigm reflecting the complexity embedded in everyday nursing practice. This methodology offers a unique approach to exploration of challenging clinical and patient scenarios with multifaceted elements, and overcomes theories of philosophical incompatibilities between divergent methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Binnie
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Robyne Le Brocque
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melanie Jessup
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Amy N B Johnston
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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16
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Implementing emergency admission risk prediction in general practice: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract 2021; 72:e138-e147. [PMID: 34782316 PMCID: PMC8597766 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2021.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Using computer software in general practice to predict patient risk of emergency hospital admission has been widely advocated, despite limited evidence about effects. In a trial evaluating the introduction of a Predictive Risk Stratification Model (PRISM), statistically significant increases in emergency hospital admissions and use of other NHS services were reported without evidence of benefits to patients or the NHS. Aim To explore GPs’ and practice managers’ experiences of incorporating PRISM into routine practice. Design and setting Semi-structured interviews were carried out with GPs and practice managers in 18 practices in rural, urban, and suburban areas of south Wales. Method Interviews (30–90 min) were conducted at 3–6 months after gaining PRISM access, and ∼18 months later. Data were analysed thematically using Normalisation Process Theory. Results Responders (n = 22) reported that the decision to use PRISM was based mainly on fulfilling Quality and Outcomes Framework incentives. Most applied it to <0.5% practice patients over a few weeks. Using PRISM entailed undertaking technical tasks, sharing information in practice meetings, and making small-scale changes to patient care. Use was inhibited by the model not being integrated with practice systems. Most participants doubted any large-scale impact, but did cite examples of the impact on individual patient care and reported increased awareness of patients at high risk of emergency admission to hospital. Conclusion Qualitative results suggest mixed views of predictive risk stratification in general practice and raised awareness of highest-risk patients potentially affecting rates of unplanned hospital attendance and admissions. To inform future policy, decision makers need more information about implementation and effects of emergency admission risk stratification tools in primary and community settings.
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17
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Andriotti T, Dalton MK, Jarman MP, Lipsitz S, Chaudhary MA, Tilley L, Learn PA, Schoenfeld AJ, Goralnick E. Super-Utilization of the Emergency Department in a Universally Insured Population. Mil Med 2021; 186:e819-e825. [PMID: 33247301 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Super-utilizers (patients with 4 or more emergency department [ED] visits a year) account for 10% to 26% of all ED visits and are responsible for a growing proportion of healthcare expenditures. Patients recognize the ED as a reliable provider of acute care, as well as a timely resource for diagnosis and treatment. The value of ED care is indisputable in critical and emergent conditions, but in the case of non-urgent conditions, ED utilization may represent an inefficiency in the healthcare system. We sought to identify patient and clinical characteristics associated with ED super-utilization in a universally insured population. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study using TRICARE claims data from the Military Health System Data Repository (2011-2015). We reviewed the claims data of all adult patients (aged 18-64 years) who had at least one encounter at the ED for any cause. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with ED super-utilization. RESULTS Factors associated with increased odds of ED super-utilization included Charlson Score ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-2.06), being eligible for Medicare (aOR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.90-2.01), and female sex (aOR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.33-1.37). Active duty service members (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.68-0.72) and beneficiaries with higher sponsor-rank (Officers: aOR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.55-0.57; Senior enlisted: aOR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.81-0.83) had lower odds of ED super-utilization. The most common primary diagnoses for ED visits among super-utilizers were abdominal pain, headache and migraine, chest pain, urinary tract infection, nausea and vomiting, and low back pain. CONCLUSIONS Risk of ED super-utilization appears to increase with age and diminished health status. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics of ED super-utilization identified in this study can be used to formulate healthcare policies addressing gaps in primary care in diagnoses associated with ED super-utilization and develop interventions to address modifiable risk factors of ED utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Andriotti
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael K Dalton
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Molly P Jarman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stuart Lipsitz
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Muhammad Ali Chaudhary
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Laura Tilley
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Peter A Learn
- Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew J Schoenfeld
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric Goralnick
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Scott M, Bertenshaw C. Frequent attendees to the emergency department: Perspectives for trainee preparedness. Emerg Med Australas 2021; 33:564-566. [PMID: 33876541 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Scott
- Emergency Department, Caboolture Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Claire Bertenshaw
- High Acuity Response Unit, Queensland Ambulance Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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19
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Bertenshaw C, Dubash R, Kozlovski J, Carlin E, Govindasamy L. Understanding emergency department frequent attenders. Emerg Med Australas 2021; 33:559-561. [PMID: 33890397 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.13784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire Bertenshaw
- High Acuity Response Unit, Queensland Ambulance Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roxanne Dubash
- Emergency Department, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jennifer Kozlovski
- Emergency and Trauma Centre, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Carlin
- Emergency Department, Wellington Regional Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
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20
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Baughman DJ, Waheed A, Khan MN, Nicholson JM. Enhancing Value-Based Care With a Walk-in Clinic: A Primary Care Provider Intervention to Decrease Low Acuity Emergency Department Overutilization. Cureus 2021; 13:e13284. [PMID: 33728217 PMCID: PMC7955766 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Emergency department overutilization is a known contributor to the high per-capita healthcare cost in the United States. There is a knowledge gap regarding the substitution effect of walk-in clinic availability in primary care provider (PCP) offices and emergency department utilization (EDU). This study evaluates associations between PCP availability and EDU and analyzes the potential cost savings for health systems. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis compared low acuity EDU rates in established patients at a family medicine residency's PCP office before and after walk-in clinic implementation. The practice had 12 providers, 12 residents, and a patient panel of approximately 7,000-8,000. Inclusion criteria were met if patients were: (1) established with the PCP office, (2) had a low acuity emergency department (ED) visit (emergency index score level 4 or 5) OR had a walk-in clinic visit at the family practice. ED visits were tracked from January 2018 to January 2020 and encounters were compared numbers to pre and post-implementation of a walk-in clinic. Cost savings for comparable management was estimated with average price differences for low acuity encounters in the ED versus clinic. Results Over the two-year timeframe, there were 10,962 total visits to the ED by family practice patients, 4,250 of these visits were low acuity. Despite gross monthly increases of EDU from 2018-2020, after implementation of a walk-in clinic in 2019, rates of total EDU decreased by 1.5% and low acuity utilization rates also decreased. The average annual patient census nearly doubled from 5,763 to 8,042. T-tests confirmed statistical significance with p-values <0.05. Average low acuity ED visits ($437) cost 4.9 times more than comparable PCP office visits ($91). Managing 2,387 patients in the walk-in clinic resulted in an estimated annual cost savings of $825,902. Conclusion Extended walk-in availability in primary care offices provides non-ED capacity for low acuity management and might mitigate low acuity ED utilization while providing more cost-effective care. This study supports similarly described pre-hospital diversions in reducing ED over-utilization by increasing access to care. Higher levels of evidence are needed to establish causality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Family Medicine, Wellspan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, USA
- Family and Community Medicine, Penn State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, USA
| | - Muhammad N Khan
- Family Medicine, WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon, USA
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21
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Moe J, O'Sullivan F, McGregor MJ, Schull MJ, Dong K, Holroyd BR, Grafstein E, Hohl CM, Trimble J, McGrail KM. Identifying subgroups and risk among frequent emergency department users in British Columbia. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2021; 2:e12346. [PMID: 33532752 PMCID: PMC7823092 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Frequent emergency department (ED) users are heterogeneous. We aimed to identify subgroups and assess their mortality. Methods: We identified patients ≥18 years with ≥1 ED visit in British Columbia from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2015, and linked to hospitalization, physician billing, prescription, and mortality data. Frequent users were the top 10% of patients by ED visits. We employed cluster analysis to identify frequent user subgroups. We assessed 365-day mortality using Kaplan-Meier curves and conducted Cox regressions to assess mortality risk factors within subgroups. Results: We identified 4 subgroups. Subgroup 1 ("Elderly") had median age 77 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 66-85), 5 visits/year (IQR: 4-6), median 8 prescription medications (IQR: 5-11), and 24.7% mortality. Subgroup 2 ("Mental Health and Alcohol Use") had median age 48 years (IQR: 34-61), 13 visits/year (IQR: 10-16), and 12.3% mortality. They made a median 31 general practitioner visits (IQR: 19-51); however, only 23.7% received a majority of services from 1 primary care physician. Subgroup 3 ("Young Mental Health") had median age 39 years (IQR: 28-51), 5 visits/year (IQR: 4-6), and 2.2% mortality. Subgroup 4 ("Short-term") had median age 50 years (IQR: 34-65), 4 visits/year (IQR: 4-5) regularly spaced over a short term, and 1.4% mortality. Male sex (all subgroups), long-term care ("Mental Health and Alcohol Use;" "Young Mental Health"), and rural residence ("Elderly" in long-term care; "Young Mental Health") were associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Our results identify frequent user subgroups with varying mortality. Future research should explore subgroups' unmet needs and tailor interventions toward them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moe
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General HospitalVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Fiona O'Sullivan
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Margaret J. McGregor
- Department of Family PracticeUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Michael J. Schull
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative SciencesDepartment of MedicineUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Brian R. Holroyd
- Department of Emergency MedicineEmergency Strategic Clinical Networ, Alberta Health ServicesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Eric Grafstein
- Department of Emergency MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Corinne M. Hohl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of British ColumbiaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Vancouver General HospitalVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Johanna Trimble
- Patients for Patient Safety CanadaRoberts CreekVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Kimberlyn M. McGrail
- Population Data BCSchool of Population and Public Health, University of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
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22
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Moe J, O'Sullivan F, McGregor MJ, Schull MJ, Dong K, Holroyd BR, Grafstein E, Hohl CM, Trimble J, McGrail KM. Characteristics of frequent emergency department users in British Columbia, Canada: a retrospective analysis. CMAJ Open 2021; 9:E134-E141. [PMID: 33653768 PMCID: PMC8034376 DOI: 10.9778/cmajo.20200168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent emergency department users disproportionately account for rising health care costs. We aimed to characterize frequent emergency department users in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis using health administrative databases. We included patients aged 18 years or more with at least 1 emergency department visit from 2012/13 to 2015/16, linked to hospital, physician billing, prescription and mortality data. We used annual emergency department visits made by the top 10% of patients to define frequent users (≥ 3 visits/year). RESULTS Over the study period, 13.8%-15.3% of patients seen in emergency departments were frequent users. We identified 205 136 frequent users among 1 196 353 emergency department visitors. Frequent users made 40.3% of total visits in 2015/16. From 2012/13 to 2015/16, their visit rates per 100 000 BC population showed a relative increase of 21.8%, versus 13.1% among all emergency department patients. Only 1.8% were frequent users in all study years. Mental illness accounted for 8.2% of visits among those less than 60 years of age, and circulatory or respiratory diagnoses for 13.3% of visits among those aged 60 or more. In 2015/16, frequent users were older and had lower household incomes than nonfrequent users; the sex distribution was similar. Frequent users had more prescriptions (median 9, interquartile range [IQR] 5-14 v. 1, IQR 1-3), primary care visits (median 15, IQR 9-27 v. 7, IQR 4-12) and hospital admissions (median 2, IQR 1-3 v. 1, IQR 1-1), and higher 1-year mortality (10.2% v. 3.5%) than nonfrequent users. INTERPRETATION Emergency department use by frequent users increased in BC between 2012/13 and 2015/16; these patients were heterogenous, had high mortality and rarely remained frequent users over multiple years. Our results suggest that interventions must account for heterogeneity and address triggers of frequent use episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Moe
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Fiona O'Sullivan
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Margaret J McGregor
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Michael J Schull
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Kathryn Dong
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Brian R Holroyd
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Eric Grafstein
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Corinne M Hohl
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Johanna Trimble
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
| | - Kimberlyn M McGrail
- Departments of Emergency Medicine (Moe, O'Sullivan, Grafstein, Hohl) and Family Practice (McGregor), University of British Columbia; Department of Emergency Medicine (Moe, Hohl), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC; ICES Central (Schull); Department of Medicine (Schull), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Department of Emergency Medicine (Dong, Holroyd), University of Alberta; Emergency Strategic Clinical Network (Holroyd), Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alta.; Patients for Patient Safety Canada (Trimble), Roberts Creek, BC; School of Population and Public Health (McGrail), University of British Columbia; Population Data BC (McGrail), Vancouver, BC
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Binnie V, Le Brocque R, Jessup M, Johnston ANB. Adult frequent presentation to emergency departments and adverse childhood experiences: a scoping review. Australas Emerg Care 2020; 24:264-279. [PMID: 33358578 DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive literature reports the influence of childhood adversity on adult health, however few studies have explored these life antecedents in people who frequently present to the emergency department. This review synthesizes literature exploring childhood adversity influences on emergency department presentations, if and how it is identified, and interventions addressing the health care needs of this group. METHODS Eight electronic databases were searched. Arksey and O'Malley's framework guided this review, and a quality appraisal was undertaken. Searches included all published studies until August 2020. RESULTS Twenty-one articles were included in this review. They revealed that childhood adversity is common among adults who frequently attend the emergency department. It impacts physical and psychological health into adulthood and there is no standardized approach described to documenting childhood adversity, nor any consistent intervention reported by emergency departments to address its sequelae in adulthood. CONCLUSIONS Several studies call for screening, intervention, and education to identify and address impacts of childhood adversity for patients who frequently present to the emergency department. However, reliable high-level studies exploring these topics specific to the emergency department are uncommon. Consequently, definitive interventions to address the healthcare needs of this group is lacking and warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Binnie
- School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia.
| | - Robyne Le Brocque
- School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Melanie Jessup
- School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Amy N B Johnston
- School of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, 4072, Australia; Department of Emergency Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Qld, 4102, Australia
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