National Trends in Vital Sign Abnormalities at Arrival to the Emergency Department.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Recent reports suggest rising intensity of emergency department (ED) billing practices, sparking concerns that this may represent up-coding. However, it may reflect increasing severity and complexity of care in the ED population. We hypothesize that this in part may be reflected in more severe manifestations of illness as indicated by vital sign abnormalities.

Methods

Using 18 years of data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, we conducted a retrospective secondary analysis of adults (>18 years). We assessed standard vital signs using weighted descriptive statistics (heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, and systolic blood pressure [SBP]), as well as hypotension and tachycardia. Finally, we evaluated for differing effects stratifying

SUBMITTER: Salhi RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10284526 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature