Frequent Users of Hospital Emergency Departments in Korea Characterized by Claims Data from the National Health Insurance: A Cross Sectional Study

Transitions in health care settings for frequent and infrequent users of emergency departments: a population-based retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Efforts to reduce emergency department (ED) volumes often target frequent users. We examined transitions in care across ED, hospital, and community settings, and in-hospital death, for high system users (HSUs) compared to controls.

METHODS

Population-based databases provided ED visits and hospitalizations in Alberta and Ontario, Canada. The retrospective cohort included the top 10% of all the ED users during 2015/2016 (termed HSUs) and a random sample of controls (4 per each HSU) from the bottom 90% per province. Rates of transitions among ED, hospitalization, community settings, and in-hospital mortality were adjusted for sociodemographic and ED variables in a multistate statistical model.

RESULTS

There were 2,684,924 patients and 579,230 (21.6%) were HSUs. Patient characteristics associated with shorter community to ED transition times for HSUs included Alberta residence (ratio of hazard ratio [RHR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11,1.12), living in areas in the lower income quintile (RHR = 1.06, 95%CI 1.06,1.06), and Ontario residents without a primary health care provider (RHR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.13,1.14). Once at the ED, characteristics associated with shorter ED to hospital transition times for HSUs included higher acuity (e.g., RHR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.61, 1.81 for emergent), and for many diagnoses including chest pain (RHR = 1.71, 95%CI 1.65,1.76) and gastrointestinal (RHR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.62,1.71). Once admitted to hospital, HSUs did not necessarily have longer stays except for conditions such as chest pain (RHR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.86, 0.95). HSUs had shorter times to death in the ED if they presented for cancer (RHR = 2.51), congestive heart failure (RHR = 1.93), myocardial infarction (RHR = 1.53), and stroke (RHR = 1.84), and shorter times to death in-hospital if they presented with cancer (RHR = 1.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences between HSUs and controls in predictors of transitions among care settings were identified. Co-morbidities and limitations in access to primary care are associated with more rapid transitions from community to ED and hospital among HSUs. Interventions targeting these challenges may better serve patients across health systems..

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Factors related to the frequent use of emergency department services in Korea

BACKGROUND

Frequent Emergency Department (ED) visitors are identified by the policymakers to reduce avoidable ED visits and lessen the financial and operational burden. This study aimed to identify the factors related to the frequent use of ED services.

METHODS

This nationwide, cross-sectional observational study was conducted using information obtained from the 2019 National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) database. Frequent ED users were defined as patients with four or more ED visits a year. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to verify the relationship among sociodemographic characteristics, residential characteristics, clinical characteristics, and frequency of ED visits.

RESULTS

Among 4,063,640 selected patients, 137,608 patients visited the ED four or more times a year (total number of visits = 735,502 times), which accounted for 3.4% and 12.8% of the total number of ED users and ED visits, respectively. A high ED visit frequency was associated with male sex, age < 9 or ≥ 70 years, Medical Aid (based on the insurance type), lower number of medical institutions and beds compared with that of the national average, and conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, renal failure, and mental illness. A low ED-visit frequency was associated with residence in regions vulnerable to emergency medical care and regions with high income. The possibility of frequent ED visits was high for patients with level 5 severity (non-emergent) and those with an increased need for medical treatment, including older patients and patients with cancer or mental illness. The possibility of frequent ED visits was low for patients aged > 19 years with level 1 severity (resuscitation).

CONCLUSIONS

Health service accessibility factors, including low income and medical resource imbalance, were associated with frequent ED visits. Future large-scale prospective cohort studies are warranted to establish an efficient emergency medical system.

Characteristics of patients who visited emergency departments for headache in South Korea: A descriptive cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of adult patients who visit emergency departments (EDs) for non-traumatic headache in South Korea.

BACKGROUND

Little is known about East Asian patients who visit EDs for headache.

METHODS

This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed 2019 National Emergency Department Information System data, including age, sex, co-occurring fever, symptom duration, insurance type, transportation mode, ED level, triage level, ED visit time, specialist consultations at the ED, disposition from the ED, and outcomes. The proportion of patients with a life-threatening secondary headache and the diagnostic codes were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 227,288 patients were observed in this study, accounting for 2.2% (227,288/10,238,360) of all ED visits. Females (63.1%; 143,493/227,288) visited EDs more than males, and patients aged 50-60 years (21.0%; 47,637/227,288) visited most frequently. A total of 61.5% (93,789/151,494) of ED visits were within 24 h after headache onset, and 57.6% (131,056/227,288) of visits were assigned to non-urgent triage levels. The most frequent discharge codes were "R51: Headache (not better specified)" from the ED and ward, and "I60: Subarachnoid hemorrhage" from the intensive care unit. The rate of migraine diagnosis was 7.2% (16,471/227,288). A total of 3.1% (7153/227,288) of patients were diagnosed with life-threatening secondary headaches, most commonly subarachnoid hemorrhage (1.2%; 2744/227,288) and cerebral infarction (0.6%; 1341/227,288).

CONCLUSIONS

In South Korea, the characteristics of patients who visited the ED for non-traumatic headache were not very different from those in existing studies; however, patients tended to visit EDs early and be classified as non-urgent, and emergency physicians tended to enter the diagnosis code "R51: Headache (not better specified)", resulting in a much lower rate of migraine diagnoses. Non-urgent early visitors coded with "R51" may include those who have not yet been diagnosed with primary headache and have not been treated, but who need further research.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

Significant association between increased risk of emergency department visits for psychiatric disorders and air pollutants in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The association between air pollutants and psychiatric disorders has been investigated in many countries. However, results for the association between air pollutants and emergency room (ER) visits for psychiatric disorders are inconsistent. Further, systematic large-scale studies relating to the same are lacking, especially in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the acute and short-term cumulative effect of air pollutants on ER visits for psychiatric disorders in South Korea.

METHODS

The data on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and ER visits due to nine representative psychiatric disorders were collected from eight major cities in South Korea for three years. We estimated the relative risk (RR) at lag 0 and a cumulative 11-day RR by increasing a 10-unit for PM and 0.01-unit for NO2 using the Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 79,092 ER visits for psychiatric disorders were identified and tested for association with NO2, PM2.5, and PM10. The RR at lag 0 of depression per 0.01-unit increase in NO2 was the highest (3.127; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.933 to 3.332) among the psychiatric disorders. The RRs at lag 0 of anxiety disorders per 10-unit increase in PM2.5 (1.709; 95% CI 1.424 to 2.053) and PM10 (2.168; 95% CI 1.957 to 2.403) were the highest among the psychiatric disorders.

SIGNIFICANCE

Air pollutants increased ER visits for psychiatric disorders with the highest RR of depression due to NO2 and anxiety disorder due to PM2.5 and PM10. These results contribute evidence to the positive association between ambient exposure to air pollution and aggravation of psychiatric disorders, indicating air pollution may be a modifiable risk factor in mental health management.

IMPACT STATEMENT

We investigated the effect of air pollution on emergency room visits caused by major psychiatric disorders in prominent cities in South Korea. Using the Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model, an advanced analysis method, we calculated the acute effect and short-term cumulative effect. Air pollutants increased ER visits for psychiatric disorders with the highest relative risk of depression due to NO2 and anxiety disorder due to PM2.5 and PM10. These results reveal an association between ambient exposure to air pollution and aggravation of psychiatric disorders and suggest that air pollution may be a modifiable risk factor in mental health management.

Triage and length of stay in emergency department visits due to alcohol intoxication: A retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Patients with alcohol intoxication are screened and treated at emergency departments (EDs), at the cost of alcohol-related ED visit resource consumption. The purposes of this study were to identify characteristics of patients with alcohol intoxication, in terms of triage, blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and ED length of stay (LOS) and to compare these characteristics by homelessness status.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all visits and referrals to one drunken center in an ED between January and December 2019. Adults aged over 18 years admitted to the drunken center with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 100 mg/dl or higher were included.

RESULTS

Approximately 89 % were male, around 30.4 % of the patients with acute alcohol intoxication were homeless. Approximately 46 % of patients were Medicaid or non-insured. Approximately 74.2 % of the patients were classified as KTAS 4 (less urgent) and 5 (nonurgency) upon initial KTAS evaluation. Both BAC and ED LOS were significantly higher in the homeless group.

CONCLUSIONS

About half of alcohol intoxicated patients who visited ED were vulnerable, and they visited the ED due to the problem of less urgent or non-urgent status of triage. Sobering places, not ED, and connecting patients with social work programs is important.

Factors Associated with Emergency Department Visits and Consequent Hospitalization and Death in Korea Using a Population-Based National Health Database

We aim to investigate common diagnoses and risk factors for emergency department (ED) visits as well as those for hospitalization and death after ED visits. This study describes the clinical course of ED visits by using the 2014–2015 population data retrieved from the National Health Insurance Service. Sociodemographic, medical, and behavioral factors were analyzed through multiple logistic regression. Older people were more likely to be hospitalized or to die after an ED visit, but younger people showed a higher risk for ED visits. Females were at a higher risk for ED visits, but males were at a higher risk for ED-associated hospitalization and death. Individuals in the highest quartile of income had a lower risk of ED death relative to lowest income level individuals. Disabilities, comorbidities, and medical issues, including previous ED visits or prior hospitalizations, were risk factors for all ED-related outcomes. Unhealthy behaviors, including current smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and not engaging in regular exercise, were also significantly associated with ED visits, hospitalization, and death. Common diagnoses and risk factors for ED visits and post-visit hospitalization and death found in this study provide a perspective from which to establish health polices for the emergency medical care system.

Characteristics of frequent emergency department users in Korea: a 4-year retrospective analysis using Korea Health Panel Study data

Objective

We aimed to investigate the characteristics of frequent emergency department (ED) users in Korea.

Methods

We analyzed the Korea Health Panel Study data of a sampled population from the 2005 Population Census of Korea data, and adults (age ≥18 years) who visited the ED at least once a year between 2014 and 2017 were included in the study. People who visited three or more times a year were classified as frequent users. We compared demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors between nonfrequent and frequent users. We used a multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine factors related to frequent ED visits. We also compared the characteristics of ED use in both nonfrequent and frequent users.

Results

A total of 5,090 panels were included, comprising 6,853 visits. Frequent users were 333 (6.5% of all panels), and their ED visits were 1,364 (19.9% of all ED visits). In the multivariable regression analysis, medical aid coverage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of the National Health Service coverage, 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40–0.75), unemployment (aOR of employment, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56–0.91), prior ward admission in a year (aOR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.67–2.75), and frequent outpatient department use (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.35–2.20) were associated with frequent use. Moreover, frequent users visited the ED of public hospitals more often than than nonfrequent users (19.2% vs. 9.8%). Medical problems rather than injury/poisoning were the more common reasons for visiting the ED (84.5% vs. 71.2%).

Conclusion

We found that frequent ED users were likely to be those with socioeconomic disadvantage or with high demand for medical service. Based on this study, further studies on interventions to reduce frequent ED use are required for better ED services.

Development and validity of the Korea psychiatric triage algorithm

Background

Psychiatric emergencies require timely intervention because of the risk of harm to individuals and society, including others. The aim of the present study was to test the content validity of a psychiatric triage algorithm developed for use in South Korea.

Methods

The initial algorithm was developed through systematic literature review. Its validity was then verified by 10 experts. Based on results of expert validity, the algorithm was modified and the final algorithm was developed.

Results

Its clinical validity was then verified by 37 emergency room nurses who had used triage. Four questions of expert validity results with a CVI of 0.8 or less were revised to reflect expert opinion. The usefulness, adequacy, and convenience of the final modified algorithm was 2.98 ~ 3.53.

Conclusion

After sufficiently validated by follow-up studies, it is expected that the use of psychiatric classification algorithms in emergency room nurses will not only improve the quality of care, but also can improve patient outcomes and experience.

Effects of comorbid alcohol use disorder on the clinical outcomes of first-episode schizophrenia: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common psychiatric comorbidity in schizophrenia, associated with poor clinical outcomes and medication noncompliance. Most previous studies on the effect of alcohol use in patients with schizophrenia had limitations of small sample size or a cross-sectional design. Therefore, we used a nationwide population database to investigate the impact of AUD on clinical outcomes of schizophrenia.

METHODS

Data from the Health Insurance Review Agency database in South Korea from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2016 were used. Among 64,442 patients with first-episode schizophrenia, 1598 patients with comorbid AUD were selected based on the diagnostic code F10. We performed between- and within-group analyses to compare the rates of psychiatric admissions and emergency room (ER) visits, and medication possession ratio (MPR) between the patients with comorbid AUD and control patients matched for the onset age, sex, and observation period.

RESULTS

The rates of psychiatric admissions and ER visits in both groups decreased after the time point of diagnosis of AUD; however, the decrease was significantly greater in the patients with comorbid AUD compared to the control patients. While the comorbid AUD group showed an increase in MPR after the diagnosis of AUD, MPR decreased in the control group. The rates of psychiatric admissions, ER visits, and MPR were worse in the comorbid AUD group both before and after the diagnosis of AUD.

CONCLUSIONS

The results emphasize an importance of psychiatric comorbidities, especially AUD, in first-episode schizophrenia and the necessity of further research for confirmative findings of the association of AUD with clinical outcomes of schizophrenia.

Differences between frequent emergency department users in a secondary rural hospital and a tertiary suburban hospital in central Japan: a prevalence study

OBJECTIVES

Although frequent emergency department (ED) use is a global issue, little research has been conducted in a country like Japan where universal health insurance is available. The study aims to (1) document the proportion of ED visits that are by frequent users and (2) describe the differences in characteristics of frequent ED users and other ED users including expenditures between a secondary and a tertiary hospital.

DESIGN

A prevalence study for a period of 1 year.

SETTING

A secondary hospital and a tertiary hospital in central Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

All patients who presented to the EDs.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

We defined frequent ED user as a patient who visited the ED≥5 times/year. The main outcome measures were the proportion of frequent ED users among all ED users and the proportion of healthcare expenditures by the frequent ED users among all ED expenditures.

RESULTS

Of 25 231 ED visits over 1 year, 134 frequent ED users accounted for 1043 visits-0.66% of all ED users, comprised 4.1% of all ED visits, and accounted for 1.9% of total healthcare expenditures. Median ED visits per one frequent ED user was 7.9. At the patient level, after adjusting for age, gender and receiving public assistance, older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.02) and receiving public assistance (OR 7.19, 95% CI 2.87 to 18.07) had an association with frequent ED visits. At the visit-level analysis, evaluation by internal medicine (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57), psychiatry (OR 124.69, 95% CI 85.89 to 181.01) and obstetrics/gynaecology (OR 2.77, 95% CI 2.09 to 3.67) were associated with frequent ED visits.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of frequent ED users, of total visits, and of expenditures attributable to them-while still in the low end of the distribution of published ranges-are lower in this study from Japan than in reports from many other countries.

Characteristics of frequent adult emergency department users: A Korean tertiary hospital observational study

Emergency department (ED) crowding is a public health burden that impedes the provision of high-quality emergency care and is related to poor outcomes. Frequent ED visits are known to contribute to ED crowding. This study aimed to identify frequent ED users' characteristics and risk factors related to frequent ED visits.A retrospective observational study was conducted using ED-based data derived from adult patients at a university hospital. The main exposure variable was frequent ED visits, which were defined as ≥4 visits within 12 months (January 1-December 31, 2018). Characteristics and risk factors for frequent ED users were evaluated using stepwise regression analysis.Within the study period, there were 36,932 ED visits involving 29,759 patients. Of these, 3031 (8.2%) visits were from 556 (1.9%) patients classified as frequent ED users. The independent risk factors for frequent ED visits were older patients (≥65 years); the winter season; daytime discharge from ED; patients with medical aid insurance; and patients designated as high acuity at their first visit. Patients with a malignant neoplasm, mental health disorder, alcohol-related liver disease, chronic kidney disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with more frequent ED visits.Frequent ED users comprised a significant proportion of total ED visits. Frequent ED users were more likely than occasional ED users to be in poorer health, older, or have a chronic disease or a mental health disorder.

Statistical tools used for analyses of frequent users of emergency department: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Frequent users represent a small proportion of emergency department users, but they account for a disproportionately large number of visits. Their use of emergency departments is often considered suboptimal. It would be more efficient to identify and treat those patients earlier in their health problem trajectory. It is therefore essential to describe their characteristics and to predict their emergency department use. In order to do so, adequate statistical tools are needed. The objective of this study was to determine the statistical tools used in identifying variables associated with frequent use or predicting the risk of becoming a frequent user.

METHODS

We performed a scoping review following an established 5-stage methodological framework. We searched PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL databases in February 2019 using search strategies defined with the help of an information specialist. Out of 4534 potential abstracts, we selected 114 articles based on defined criteria and presented in a content analysis.

RESULTS

We identified four classes of statistical tools. Regression models were found to be the most common practice, followed by hypothesis testing. The logistic regression was found to be the most used statistical tool, followed by χ2 test and t-test of associations between variables. Other tools were marginally used.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review lists common statistical tools used for analysing frequent users in emergency departments. It highlights the fact that some are well established while others are much less so. More research is needed to apply appropriate techniques to health data or to diversify statistical point of views.

Patients Visiting Multiple Emergency Departments: Patterns, Costs, and Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES

We sought to characterize the population of patients seeking care at multiple emergency departments (EDs) and to quantify the proportion of all ED visits and costs accounted for by these patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective, cohort study of deidentified insurance claims for privately insured patients with one of more ED visits between 2010 and 2016. We measured the number of EDs visited by each patient and determined the overall proportion of all ED visits and ED costs accounted for by patients who visit multiple EDs. We identified factors associated with visiting multiple EDs.

RESULTS

A total of 8,651,716 patients made 16,390,676 ED visits over the study period, accounting for $26,102,831,740 in ED costs. A significant minority (20.5%) of patients visited more than one ED over the study period. However, these patients accounted for a disproportionate amount of all ED visits (41.4%) and all ED costs (39.2%). A small proportion (0.4%) of patients visited five or more EDs but accounted for 2.8% of ED visits and costs. Among patients with two ED visits within 30 days, 32% were to different EDs. Having at least one ED visit for mental health or substance abuse-related diagnosis was associated with increased odds of visiting multiple EDs.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial minority of patients visit multiple EDs, but account for a disproportionate burden of overall ED utilization and costs. Future work should evaluate the impact of visiting multiple EDs on care utilization and outcomes and explore systems for improving access to patient records across care centers.