Education as an intervention for prevention of non-urgent ED visits

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Issue Date
2017-04-28
Embargo End Date
Authors
Fairchild, Shea
Advisor
Huckstadt, Alicia A.
Faragher, Mary E.
Citation

Fairchild, Shea. 2017. Eduaction as an investment for prevention of non-urgent ED visits--In Proceedings: 13th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, KS: Wichita State University, p.36

Abstract

United States Emergency Departments (ED) collectively experience 130 million visits each year. Healthcare spending has reached an all-time high. Overutilization of the ED for nonurgent medical concerns has been targeted as a potential area of study and intervention for potential healthcare savings. Poor health literacy has been identified as one of the leading causes of non-urgent ED visits. This quality improvement project was conducted in a 14-bed ED in a small, urban hospital. Study participants were identified and systematically placed into two groups. The intervention group received an educational intervention that targeted low-cost clinics within the area and general information about primary care providers. The intervention was evaluated through structured patient survey. The typical patient who presented to the ED for a non-urgent medical concern was non-Hispanic, black female who was employed and had completed some college. Patients who received the educational intervention had an increased awareness of low-cost clinics.

Table of Content
Description
Presented to the 13th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 28, 2017.
Research completed in the School of Nursing, College of Health Professions
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