Evaluating A Consistent Care Program for A Hospital Emergency Department to Reduce Frequent Visits

Abstract

Patients utilizing Emergency Departments (EDs) frequently have become an increasing concern to hospitals across the nation as it creates inconsistent care for patients and increased care costs for patients, hospitals, and insurers. Over a period of 4 years, a Midwest regional hospital identified an upward trend in these visits to the ED and implemented a case management intervention that included individualized care planning and a social work case manager for 103 patients. During the first year of the program, ED visits for this patient population were reduced by 68% and ED charges decreased by $1.1 million. This manuscript has implications for EDs, behavioral health units, out-patient services, and medical homes.