Title of article :
The influence of an urgent care center on the frequency of ED visits in an urban hospital setting
Author/Authors :
Brenda Merritt، نويسنده , , Edwin Naamon، نويسنده , , Stephen A. Morris، نويسنده ,
Issue Information :
روزنامه با شماره پیاپی سال 2000
Abstract :
We examined the effect of a visit to an Urgent Care Center (UCC) on emergency department (ED) use by patients with nonemergent complaints. A study population of 1,629 patients with no previous visit to a UCC were identified and served as their own controls. The ED and clinic usage 6 months before and 6 months after a UCC visit were examined. After the UCC visit for adults there was a 48% reduction in ED visits (P = .0001) and 49% increase in clinic visits (P = .0001). After the UCC visit for children there was a 28% reduction in ED visits (P< .005) and 65% increase in clinic visits (P = .0001). Moreover the majority of clinic visits occurred within 90 days after the UCC visit. There was no substantial change in patterns of hospitalization 6 months after the UCC visit. We conclude that UCC usage decreases nonemergent ED use without adverse effects of increased patient hospitalization.
Keywords :
Emergency Department , urgent care center , Triage
Journal title :
American Journal of Emergency Medicine
Journal title :
American Journal of Emergency Medicine