The influence of an urgent care center on the frequency of ED visits in an urban hospital setting - 05/09/11
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.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Emergency department, urgent care center, triage
Vol 18 - N° 2
P. 123-125 - mars 2000 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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