Shrinking number of emergency departments handle more visits

Healthcare Financial Management, July, 2005

Fewer emergency departments are handling an increased number of visits, according to anew report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 1993 through 2003, the number o| emergency department visits increased from 90.3 million to 113.9 million visits annually, representing an average increase of more than 2 million Visits per year.

Meanwhile, the number of U.S. hospital emergency departments decreased by about 12.3 percent during the same period. The report's authors say that the rise in utilization was driven by increased use among adults, particularly those 65 years and older. Additionally, utilization rates were highest for MediCaid enrollees and lowest for patients with private health insurance. To read the CDC report on increased ED visits, go to www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad358.pdf. To read the April 2005 him article "Containing Costs in the ED," go to www.hfma.org/publications/members_only/ Features/Feature_April_05cover.htm.