Annals of emergency medicine
-
This study investigated the rate of incorrect contact telephone numbers recorded during emergency department registration, and evaluated whether postdischarge contact rates can be improved by verifying the best contact number with the patient before discharge. ⋯ Verification of a best contact telephone number significantly improves the ability to contact patients after ED discharge.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Association between prepayment systems and emergency medical services use among patients with acute chest discomfort syndrome. For the Rapid Early Action for Coronary Treatment (REACT) Study.
Cost concerns may inhibit emergency medical services (EMS) use. Novel tax-based and subscription prepayment programs indemnify patients against the cost of EMS treatment and transport. We determine whether the presence of (or enrollment in) prepayment plans increase EMS use among patients with acute chest discomfort, particularly those residing in low-income areas, those lacking private insurance, or both. ⋯ Economic considerations may affect EMS system utilization among underinsured and low-income patients experiencing a cardiac event. Prepayment systems may increase EMS utilization among these groups.
-
Multicenter Study
Telephone follow-up after the emergency department visit: experience with acute asthma. On behalf of the MARC Investigators.
This study explored how a variety of demographic and illness-related factors were associated with telephone follow-up among patients visiting the emergency department for acute asthma. ⋯ In contrast to some reports in the literature, telephone contact rates were high. However, successful contact was not equally likely among all patient groups. Although the high contact rates support the feasibility of telephone follow-up of asthmatic patients visiting the ED, the results also act as a reminder of the potential biases that may arise when using telephone contact for clinical, quality assurance, and research reasons.