Corresponding author at: Department of Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University, 7413B HSS, 1 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26506. Tel.: +1 304 293 1334.
Corresponding author at: Department of Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University, 7413B HSS, 1 Medical Center Dr, Morgantown, WV 26506. Tel.: +1 304 293 1334.
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Abstract
Background
A 2005 study examined emergency department (ED) utilization by homeless patients in the United States. Within the following 5 years, unemployment increased by 5%.
Objective
The objective was to analyze changes in ED utilization between 2005 and 2010 by homeless patients and compare with nonhomeless visits.
Methods
Data from the 2010 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were evaluated.
Results
Approximately 679 854 visits were made by homeless patients, the majority of which were made by men (72.3%) and patients between the ages of 45 and 64 (50.5%). Homeless patients were twice as likely to be uninsured. ED visits by homeless patients had increased by 44% during the 5-year period. Arrival to the ED by ambulance increased by 14% between the study years, and homeless patients were less likely to be admitted.
Conclusion
The number of visits by homeless patients in the ED increased proportionally to an overall increase in ED visits between 2005 and 2010.
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☆The authors are not aware of any personal or financial conflicts of interest that are associated with this study. The authors did not receive any special funding to conduct or report this study. This study was presented at the 2014 American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly in Chicago, IL, in October 2014.
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