SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Measuring the Impact of an Emergency Department "Surge" Program on Acute Care Utilization and Continuity of Care

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The University of Chicago’s ED Surge Program was designed to reduce emergency department crowding by triaging lower-acuity patients to an on-site, same-day ambulatory clinic instead of the ED. The program also pairs eligible patients with patient advocates to help establish primary care and continuity of care.<br /><br />This study reviewed 264 patients seen from March to October 2021, with 284 total scheduled visits. Of these, 210 visits (74%) were completed and 74 (24%) were no-shows or cancellations. Demographics, insurance status, PCP status, diagnoses, and subsequent acute care use were analyzed using chi-squared tests, t-tests, and multivariate analysis.<br /><br />Most patients were Black, and completed visits were more common among younger patients and those with Medicaid, while uninsured patients were less likely to complete visits. Most patients had no current primary care physician. Among those without a PCP, patient advocates met with 27 patients to help connect them to care. A follow-up visit in the Care Transitions Clinic occurred for 43 patients.<br /><br />The most common diagnoses were respiratory symptoms, genitourinary concerns, other infections, and minor injuries. Diagnosis type and severity were not associated with later ED visits or hospitalization. There was a possible trend suggesting that patients who completed ED Surge visits had more hospital admissions but fewer ED revisits, though this did not reach statistical significance.<br /><br />Overall, the ED Surge Clinic achieved a 74% attendance rate and appears to help redirect low-acuity patients to ambulatory care while supporting PCP access. The findings suggest the model may especially serve younger, Black, and government-insured patients. Limitations included a small sample size, short study period, and possible selection bias.

Asset Subtitle

Ashley E. Brown

Meta Tag

Author List Ashley E. Brown, Geneatra Green, Juhi Gupta, Kate Sullivan, Michael Hermsen, Raj Krishnamurthy, Sarah Kundrat, Stephanie Chia, Valerie G. Press

Category Research

Concept ED Surge Clinic

Concept Patient Demographics

Concept Insurance Status

Concept Acute Care Utilization

Concept Continuity of Care

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Chicago Medical Center

Presenting Author Ashley E. Brown

Track Transitions of Care

Keywords

emergency department crowding

ED Surge Program

ambulatory clinic

triage

low-acuity patients

patient advocates

primary care continuity

same-day clinic

hospital admissions

follow-up care

ED Surge Clinic

Patient Demographics

Insurance Status

Acute Care Utilization

Continuity of Care