Emergency department visits for nonurgent conditions: systematic literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A large proportion of all emergency department (ED) visits in the United States are for nonurgent conditions. Use of the ED for nonurgent conditions may lead to excessive healthcare spending, unnecessary testing and treatment, and weaker patient-primary care provider relationships.

Objectives

To understand the factors influencing an individual's decision to visit an ED for a nonurgent condition.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review of the US literature. Multiple databases were searched for US studies published after 1990 that assessed factors associated with nonurgent ED use. Based on those results we developed a conceptual framework.

Results

A total of 26 articles met inclusion criteria. No 2 articles used the same exact definition of

SUBMITTER: Uscher-Pines L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4156292 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature