Emergency department visits in Veterans Affairs medical facilities.

Hastings SN, Smith VA, Weinberger M, Schmader KE, Olsen MK, Oddone EZ. Emergency department visits in Veterans Affairs medical facilities. The American journal of managed care. 2011 Jun 1; 17(6 Spec No.):e215-23.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• RCD 06-019 – Improving Care for Older Veterans Discharged from Emergency Treatment
• RCS 91-408 – Research Career Scientist Award
• PPO 09-267 – Measuring the Quality of Emergency Department Discharge Medications

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of, and risk factors for, repeat emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations following a treat-andrelease ED visit in patients from Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Subjects were veterans who visited 1 of 102 VAMC EDs between October 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify factors related to repeat ED visits and hospitalizations within 30 days of the index ED visit. RESULTS: At their index ED visit, 80% of veterans were treated and released. Of these, 15% returned to the ED and 5% were hospitalized in the next 30 days. In adjusted = models, factors associated with increased odds of repeat ED visits included homelessness (odds ratio [OR] 1.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59, 1.82) and having a previous ED visit (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.58, 1.74). Odds of hospitalization were higher among older (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.26, 1.46), homeless (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.44,.,and functionally impaired (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.35, 1.76) veterans, those with greater comorbidity (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.27, 1.34), previous hospitalization (OR 2.48; 95% CI 2.28, 2.70), and an original ED visit related to a chronic condition (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.23, 1.37). Among veterans who returned to the ED, 71.7% did not see another VA outpatient provider between their original and return visits. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of veterans treated and released from VAMC EDs returned to the ED or were hospitalized within 30 days.