Decreasing Emergency Department Visits Through Access of Patient Centred Medical Home

Authors

George Majus, University of LynchburgFollow

Advisor

Dr. Reid

Abstract

Background

Overuse of the Emergency Department (ED), has been a steady problem for decades. The patient finds themselves needing medical care and the emergency department has become a convenience for the patients. No appointments needed, the patient finds themselves able to walk in and be seen at their will. Patients have learned whether a patient has insurance or not, the emergency department will see them and worry about payment later. One example is in the Native American population, many children receive treatment in the emergency department (ED) for nonemergent conditions that could likely be appropriately treated in a primary care clinic.¹ The goal is to reduce utilization of Emergency Department (ED) visits for non-emergent care through the use of Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).

Objective

Show that PCMH can increase continuity of patient care, increase the positive effects of provider-patient relationship leading to the reduction of non-emergent use the ED.

Method/Design

A review of journal articles with the keywords: Patient-Centered Medical Home, Emergency Department, Decreased visits, and Non-Emergency visits over the last 10 years.

Introduction

To define what a PCMH is and how the effects of use can reduce the number of ED visits for non-emergent care. Frequent ED users disproportionately utilize healthcare resources. Existing evidence suggests that frequent ED users are at-risk patients in whom interventions may improve outcomes.² To measure existing PCMH and compare to ED visits for non-emergent conditions.

Conclusion.

Having a medical team approach anchored by the patients PCP leads to strong continuity of care and lower ED utilization for chronically ill patients.

Recommended Citation

Majus G. Decreasing Emergency Department Visits Through Access of Patient Centred Medical Home. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2019; 1(3).