title: Does Emergency Department Use for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Cluster Geographically? A Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.
abstract: To identify geographic areas in Alberta, Canada with higher numbers of adolescents with an emergency department (ED) presentation for a mental or behavioral disorder secondary to alcohol and other drug use.
  
  
  
  A population-based cohort analysis of ED visits (n = 7787) by adolescents aged 15-17 years (n = 7238) during 2002-2011. We calculated sex-adjusted directly standardized rates (DSRs) and identified space-time clusters in health zones (North, Edmonton, Calgary, Central, and South).
  
  
  
  The North zone had higher DSRs compared to other areas. Clusters were identified in: (1) North, Edmonton, and northwest Central zones [relative risk (RR: 1.54; from 2004 to 2008); (2) western South and southern Calgary zones (RR: 1.58; from 2007 to 2011); and (3) northern South zone (RR: 2.38; from 2006 to 2007).
  
  
  
  The spatial scan can identify geographic areas of high health care use for specific health conditions. These results, in turn, can be used to inform health resource planning.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Amanda S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pediatrics Graduate Program , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Kassi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shave
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatrics , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Rhonda J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rosychuk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000416:Alberta; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Emergency department; alcohol and other drug use; cluster detection