Trends in Emergency Department Visits, 2006-2011 #179

Trends in Emergency Department Visits, 2006-2011 #179

AHRQ Stats: Emergency Care for Blood Infection

The rate of emergency department (ED) visits for septicemia (blood infection) increased 74 percent from 2006 to 2011, the largest increase for conditions with at least 100,000 ED visits. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #179: Trends in Emergency Department Visits, 2006-2011.)

Trends in Emergency Department Visits, 2006-2011

Halcyon G. Skinner Ph.D., M.P.H., Janice Blanchard M.D., Ph.D., and Anne Elixhauser, Ph.D.

Highlights

The rate of ED visits over the 5-year period from 2006 to 2011 increased among patients aged 45-64 years (8 percent increase). Across all conditions with at least 100,000 ED visits in 2006, the most rapid increase (74 percent) by 2011 occurred for septicemia, a bloodstream infection. The most rapid decrease (30 percent) occurred for noninfectious gastroenteritis. Between 2006 and 2011, the rate of ED visits for substance-related disorders (not including alcohol) increased 48 percent. Over the same time period, ED visits for alcohol-related disorders increased 34 percent. Among the most common reasons for ED visits,sprains and strains and superficial injury each experienced approximately a 10 percent decrease in the rate of ED visits from 2006 to 2011. Increases in the rates of ED visits were observed for abdominal pain (18 percent) and nonspecific chest pain (13 percent).