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More senior citizens visiting the ED than ever before

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, March 5, 2008

Between 1993 and 2003, the number of senior citizens visiting emergency departments (ED) rose dramatically, according to a recent article in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. Some blame it on managed care forcing physicians to see patients in 15-minute intervals, which is barely enough time to treat a chronic condition, let alone make a new diagnosis, if necessary. Others believe that many senior citizens are putting off receiving medical care until they require emergency care. No matter the reason, the predictions are sobering. The article states that the number of senior citizens visiting the ED could rise from 6.4 million to 11.7 million by 2013.

If that wasn't enough to scare you, ED staff often spend more time with senior citizen patients than they do with younger adults given their unique needs and the complexity of their often chronic health conditions. Multiply those two factors, and EDs in the United States have an impending disaster on their hands.

As an influx in ED visits typically results in an influx in admissions, this is a trend hospitalists should keep their eyes on.

To read the full article, click here.

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