Nonurgent Utilization of the Meadville Medical Center Emergency Department: A Statistical Analysis

Masse, Skyler

Nonurgent Utilization of the Meadville Medical Center Emergency Department: A Statistical Analysis

Persistent URL

https://dspace.allegheny.edu/handle/10456/56687

Author(s)

Masse, Skyler

Date Issued

April 25, 2023

Abstract

Nonurgent utilization of emergency departments (EDs) has become a more prevalent issue in recent literature, known to threaten the efficiency and effectiveness of ED services. Analysis of nonurgent emergency department users can help identify populations who may require more tailored strategies to reduce nonurgent ED use. The rural Crawford County, Pennsylvania population has multiple characteristics that align with previously defined nonurgent ED users. Statistical analyses were performed using emergency medical records from 2017 to 2021 to determine if the Meadville Medical Center (MMC) was being misused (used more for nonurgent reasons than urgent) and to determine the characteristics of the nonurgent population. Results show that the MMC ED is used significantly more for nonurgent reasons than urgent reasons. Common nonurgent users were white, female, approximately 42 years old, had a primary care physician (PCP), and had a public insurance policy. This study illustrates that there are problems with the utilization of the MMC ED and sets the foundation for future research to determine the effect of nonurgent use on the MMC ED and the best strategies to effectively reduce nonurgent use.

Major

Biology

Honors

Biology, 2023

First Reader(s)

Dawson, Rebecca S.