Triage services: a profile of high utilization.
With challenges continuing to be presented to health care delivery, inappropriate out-patient service utilization is of utmost concern to all health care service providers. This study is an examination of the utilization patterns of 189 veterans in an urban Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC). Factors found to be related to high utilization of ambulatory care triage clinic services for veterans who had presented for at least two unscheduled visits in the past six months include: patient perception of health status; number of prescription medications; and social needs. Implications for social work practice, program development and research are discussed.
Berg-Weger
M
M
Saint Louis University School of Social Service, MO 63103, USA. bergwm@sluvca.slu.edu
Gockel
J
J
Rubio
D M
DM
Douglas
R
R
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012947:Social Work; D013689:Telephone; D014218:Triage; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*