Thesis
A descriptive analysis of non-urgent emergency department utilization
Washington State University
Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
2006
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/461
Abstract
This study describes the characteristics and factors that contribute to the utilization of the emergency department (ED) for non-urgent medical care. Healthcare access, or having a usual source of care, affords the individual with prevention measures and ongoing management of chronic conditions. The usual source of healthcare for a portion of our population is the ED. This study analyzes why people seek non-urgent care in the ED during hours when community providers are practicing. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. A convenience sample (N= 64) comprised adults who met inclusion criteria of seeking care in an ED and having a problem consistent with "non-urgent" triage acuity category. A 13-item instrument was self-administered in the waiting area of the ED of a community hospital over a one-week period of time during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Data regarding insurance status, type of insurance, and having a usual source of care and barriers to having a usual source of care were obtained. Results indicate lack of healthcare insurance and having public insurance are the factors most closely associated with utilization of the ED for non-urgent care. Disparity in healthcare access is most significantly related to healthcare insurance status. This information can be utilized to leverage change for program planning and policymaking decisions to improve healthcare assess.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- A descriptive analysis of non-urgent emergency department utilization
- Creators
- Carla B. Brim
- Contributors
- Louise Kaplan (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Nursing, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Nursing (MN), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525373501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis