Use of Observation Care in US Emergency Departments, 2001 to 2008

摘要: Background Observation care is a core component of emergency delivery, yet, the prevalence department (ED) observation units (OUs) and use after ED visits unknown. Our objective was to describe 1) OUs in United States (US) hospitals, 2) clinical conditions most frequently evaluated with observation, 3) patient hospital characteristics associated observation. Methods Retrospective analysis proportion hospitals dedicated disposition visit (discharge, inpatient admission or evaluation) using National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) from 2001 2008. NHAMCS an annual, national probability sample US conducted by Center for Disease Control Prevention. Logistic regression used assess hospital-level predictors OU presence polytomous logistic patient-level disposition, each adjusted multi-level sampling data. limited 2007–2008. Results In 2007–2008, 34.1% all EDs had OU, which 56.1% were under administrative control (EDOU). Between 2008, resulting increased 642,000 (0.60% visits) 2,318,000 (1.87%, p 3.6 h) predictive presence. After adjustment, EDOU (OR 2.19). Conclusions One-third have increasingly range conditions. Further research warranted understand quality, cost efficiency care.