The influence of an Urgent Care Center on the frequency of ED visits in an urban hospital setting.
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.
Merritt
B
B
Department of Emergency Medical Services, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
Naamon
E
E
Morris
S A
SA
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D009519:New York City; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors