Mortality and Resource Use Among Frequent Users of EDs

A systematic review shows that frequent emergency department users are at increased risk for death, admission, and use of outpatient resources.

Frequent emergency department (ED) users are a potentially costly resource-utilizing population that has been shown to contribute to ED crowding. Prior studies have shown that these patients often have chronic comorbid conditions and barriers to care that lead to ED resource use.

Researchers conducted a systematic review to compare mortality and resource use between frequent and nonfrequent adult ED users. Thirty-one observational studies were included in the analysis. Overall, the studies were deemed to be of moderate methodological quality. The definition of “frequent” user varied among studies; the most common definition was four or more ED visits in 1 year. Compared with nonfrequent users, frequent ED users had a median 2.2-fold increase…

Reviewing Author

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Mortality and Resource Use Among Frequent Users of EDs

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Reviewing Author