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Multicenter Study
. 2020 Oct 20;21(6):198-204.
doi: 10.5811/westjem.2020.8.47276.

Prompt Outpatient Care For Older Adults Discharged From The Emergency Department Reduces Recidivism

Phillip D Magidson  1 , Jin Huang  2 , Emily B Levitan  3 , Andrew O Westfall  4 , Orla C Sheehan  2 , David L Roth  2
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prompt Outpatient Care For Older Adults Discharged From The Emergency Department Reduces Recidivism

Phillip D Magidson et al. West J Emerg Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults present unique challenges to both emergency clinicians and health systems. These challenges are especially evident with respect to discharge after an emergency department (ED) visit as older adults are at risk for short-term, negative outcomes including repeat ED visits. The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics and risk factors associated with repeat ED utilization by older adults.

Methods: ED visits among participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study between 2003-2016 were examined using linked Medicare claims data to identify such visits and resulting disposition. Multilevel proportional hazards models examined associations of age, comorbidity status, race, gender, Medicaid dual eligibility status, social support characteristics (living alone or caregiver support), and use of ambulatory primary and subspecialty care with repeat ED utilization.

Results: Older adults discharged from the ED seen by a primary care provider (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93, confidence interval [CI], 0.87-0.98, p = 0.01) or subspecialist (HR = 0.91, CI 0.86-0.97, P <0.01) after the ED visit were less likely to return to the ED within 30 days compared to those who did not have such post-ED ambulatory visits. Additionally, comorbidity (HR =1.14, 95% CI, 1.13-1.16, P <0.01) and dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid (HR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.20-1.50, p<0.01) were associated with return to the ED within 30 days. Those who were older (HR = 1.10, 95% CI, 1.05-1.15), had more comorbidities (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.15-1.18), Black (HR = 1.23, 95% CI, 1.14-1.33,P <0.01), and dually eligible (HR =1.23, 95% CI, 1.14-1.33, P <0.01) were more likely to return within 31-90 days after their initial presentation. The association of outpatient visits with repeat ED visits was no longer seen beyond 30 days. Patients without a caregiver or who lived alone were no more likely to return to the ED in the time periods evaluated in our study.

Conclusion: Both primary care and subspecialty care visits among older adults who are seen in the ED and discharged are associated with less frequent repeat ED visits within 30 days.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: By the WestJEM article submission agreement, all authors are required to disclose all affiliations, funding sources and financial or management relationships that could be perceived as potential sources of bias. No author has professional or financial relationships with any companies that are relevant to this study. There are no conflicts of interest or sources of funding to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
REGARDS participants between 2003–2016 included in analysis. REGARDS, REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke; ED, emergency department, FFS, Medicare fee for service.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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