Inter-regional disparities in emergency department utilization among critically ill patients: A nationwide study from South Korea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study examined inter-regional emergency department (ED) utilization among critically ill patients in South Korea and identified demographic, socioeconomic, and system-level factors.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 741,701 critically ill ED visits in 2021 was conducted using the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS). Inter-regional utilization was defined as receiving care outside the residential emergency medical service (EMS) region. Patient characteristics were compared between inter- and intra-regional groups. Mixed-effects logistic regression, modified Poisson regression, and average marginal effects (AMEs) were applied to identify associated factors. The results were presented concurrently using odds ratios (ORs), adjusted risk rat

SUBMITTER: Oh MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12688155 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature