Emergency Department Visits for Injury and Illness Among Adults Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2012-2013

Abstract

Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey ● During 2012-2013, adults aged 65 and over had an emergency department (ED) visit rate of 12 per 100 persons for injury and 36 per 100 persons for illness. ● Among adults aged 65 and over, women had a higher ED visit rate for injury (14 per 100 women) compared with men (10 per 100 men).There was no difference between women and men in the visit rate for illness. ● The percentage of injury visits resulting in hospital admission (17%) was lower than for illness visits (32%) among adults aged 65 and over. The same pattern held for critical care admissions (2% compared with 5%). ● Imaging was ordered at 75% of injury visits among adults aged 65 and over, which was higher than for illness visits (63%).