Unveiling Trends: A 5-Year Analysis of Non-emergency Visits to the Emergency Department Amidst Primary Care Challenges in the USA and Canada
Queen Ekpa
*
Health Care Administration and Service Management, Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON, Canada.
Quinn Simbeye
Springs Family Medical Clinic, Red Deer, AB, Canada.
Tricia Okoye
College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria.
Nnenna Osagwu
School of Medicine, All Saints University, Dominica.
Maureen Obi
ESUTH College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria.
Amarachi Nwokolo
College of Medicine & Surgery, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Rosemary Iriowen
Department of Family Medicine, Cahaba-UAB Family Medicine, Birmingham Alabama, USA.
Erhieyovbe Emore
Department of Anatomy, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.
Agatha Akinsete
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Osarumwense Ufuah
College of Medicine, All Saints University, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Dominica.
Okelue E. Okobi
Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Regular unscheduled low-acuity visits to the emergency departments (ED) significantly cause crowding and prolonged wait times, adversely affecting patient outcomes.
Aims: This study analyzes trends in non-emergency visits to emergency departments (EDs) in the USA and Canada over five years, focusing on the impact of socio-demographic factors and primary care accessibility.
Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study; Using datasets from CIHI (Canada) and NCHS (USA), it identifies disparities in ED utilization across age, sex, and race, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on visit frequencies.
Results: There are significant correlations between age and low-acuity visits, with females visiting more frequently in Canada and males in the USA. Pandemic-related changes led to a reduction in low-acuity visits by approximately 3.6% in the USA and 3.8% in Canada. A chi-square test of independence showed a significant relationship between age and triage levels at presentation (c.l= 0.95, p value = 0.05).
Conclusion: The study underscores the need for policy interventions to enhance primary care access and reduce ED overcrowding. Further research is recommended to explore systemic factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior.
Keywords: Low acuity, ED visits, primary care, system capacity, emergency department, non- urgent, less urgent, semi-urgent, low triage levels, pandemic