Articles: emergency-department.
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We investigate the effect of admission process policies on patient flow in the emergency department (ED). ⋯ An efficient admission process can reduce waiting times for both admitted and discharged ED patients. This study contributed to demonstrating the potential value of leveraging admission process policies and developing a framework for pursuing these policies.
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This article describes trends in nonemergent emergency department (ED) visits by insurance type, using the 2000-2009 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and Current Population Survey. We analyzed trends in the probability that an ED visit is nonemergent and in nonemergent ED visit rates per person. We found that visits for Medicare enrollees were least likely to be for nonemergent reasons, while uninsured visits were most likely to be nonemergent. ⋯ Trends in nonemergent ED visit rates were stable for all insurance groups. The findings suggest a reliance on the ED for nonemergent care by the Medicaid population. It will be important to continue to track patterns of nonemergent ED utilization after Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act.
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This is a retrospective chart review of autistic patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) in a tertiary care pediatric center during the year 2011. ⋯ Autism is a prevalent diagnosis and patients with autism are accessing the ED. We hope to use these demographic findings to better serve these patients and their families.
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Multicenter Study
Factors influencing the development of antibiotic associated diarrhea in ED patients discharged home: risk of administering intravenous antibiotics.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are well-known outcomes from antibiotic administration. Because emergency department (ED) visits frequently result in antibiotic use, we evaluated the frequency of AAD/CDI in adults treated and discharged home with new prescriptions for antibiotics to identify risk factors for acquiring AAD/CDI. ⋯ Intravenous antibiotic therapy administered to ED patients before discharge was associated with higher rates of AAD and with 2 cases of CDI. Care should be taken when deciding to use broad-spectrum IV antibiotics to treat ED patients before discharge home.