• Adam H Miller, Gregory L Larkin, and Claudie H Jimenez.
• Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8579, USA. adam.miller@utsouthwestern.edu
• Am J Emerg Med. 2005 Jul 1; 23 (4): 423-8.

ObjectiveDetermine predictors of medication refill-seeking behavior in ED patients with chronic illness.Methods/DesignProspective cross-sectional ED survey conducted for 6 weeks.SettingPublic hospital ED (>140,000 visits per year).SubjectsED patients (>18 years) taking chronic medications for congestive heart failure, diabetes, and/or hypertension.ResultsOf 1168 patients surveyed, 344 (29%) presented to the ED secondary to running out of medications and requiring a medication refill. Univariate predictors included age younger than 50 years, non-Hispanic ethnicity, low income (<5000 dollars per year), self-pay payor status, and being told to call a primary care physician before medication would be refilled. Lack of knowledge about refill or pharmacy numbers on the medication bottle resulted in patients being more than twice as likely to be in the ED for a medication refill (odds ratio 2.4 [1.6, 3.6] and 2.0 [1.3, 2.9], respectively).ConclusionPresenting for medication refills is common in ED patients with chronic illness.

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