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In the year 2000, 13% of the U.S. population was older than 65, and, by the year 2030, the proportion is expected to increase to 20%. This change will undoubtedly increase demands on the healthcare system. Researchers used data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to analyze the use of emergency medical services by adults older than 65 from 1997 to 2000.
The 62 million emergency department visits by elderly patients during the study period represented 15% of all ED visits during that time. Older patients were four times more likely than younger patients to use EMS. Thirty-eight percent of elderly patients arrived at the ED by EMS. Elderly patients transported by EMS were more likely than those transported by other means …