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Research ArticleOriginal Article

Cost Analysis of the Use of Emergency Departments for Primary Care Services in Charlotte, North Carolina

Andrew McWilliams, Hazel Tapp, Jolene Barker and Michael Dulin
North Carolina Medical Journal July 2011, 72 (4) 265-271; DOI: https://doi.org/10.18043/ncm.72.4.265
Andrew McWilliams
Internal medicine–pediatrics resident, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Hazel Tapp
Associate director of research, CMC Family Medicine, Mecklenburg Area Partnership for Primary Care Research, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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  • For correspondence: hazel.tapp@carolinashealthcare.org
Jolene Barker
Biostatistician, Mecklenburg Area Partnership for Primary Care Research, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Michael Dulin
Director of research, CMC Family Medicine, Mecklenburg Area Partnership for Primary Care Research, Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Abstract

BACKGROUND Patients often inappropriately seek emergency services for ambulatory care–sensitive conditions (ACSCs). The unnecessary use of emergency departments (EDs) is an expensive burden on hospitals and payers. Here, we identify factors influencing ED visits for ACSCs and analyze the costs of such visits for EDs and primary care clinics.

METHODS Age, race, sex, and insurance data from 2007 for 3 primary care safety net clinics and 4 EDs in Charlotte, North Carolina, were analyzed using the New York University (NYU) algorithm to identify ACSC diagnoses. Cost analyses used hospital charge data and net margins as surrogates for payer and hospital system costs.

RESULTS A total of 113,730 (59.4%) of 191,622 ED visits were for ACSCs. Factors that increased the number of ACSC-related visits included lack of insurance coverage; receipt of Medicaid insurance; age of less than 2 years; African American, Hispanic, or Native American race or ethnicity; and female sex. Charges in the EDs were 320%-728% higher than those in the primary care clinics, allowing for a potential savings of 69%-86% had ACSCs been treated in primary care clinics instead of in EDs.

LIMITATIONS The NYU algorithm may have inherent weaknesses in the categorization of ACSC-related visits and the accuracy of cost assignment, especially for vulnerable patients, such as those with comorbidities or those aged less than 2 years.

CONCLUSION The majority of conditions treated during outpatient ED visits are treatable in primary care clinics or even preventable. Some groups are at higher risk for inappropriate use of EDs. Solutions to this complex problem will require payers and hospital systems to design and invest in novel targeted interventions.

  • Copyright 2011 © North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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North Carolina Medical Journal: 72 (4)
North Carolina Medical Journal
Vol. 72, Issue 4
July/August 2011
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Cost Analysis of the Use of Emergency Departments for Primary Care Services in Charlotte, North Carolina
Andrew McWilliams, Hazel Tapp, Jolene Barker, Michael Dulin
North Carolina Medical Journal Jul 2011, 72 (4) 265-271; DOI: 10.18043/ncm.72.4.265

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Cost Analysis of the Use of Emergency Departments for Primary Care Services in Charlotte, North Carolina
Andrew McWilliams, Hazel Tapp, Jolene Barker, Michael Dulin
North Carolina Medical Journal Jul 2011, 72 (4) 265-271; DOI: 10.18043/ncm.72.4.265
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