Factors associated with emergency department visits for asthma resulting in hospital admission—United States, 2020

Abstract

Objective To identify risk factors associated with hospital admission following an ED visit for asthma at the time of discharge among U.S. children and adults. Methods Asthma emergency department visits resulting in hospital admissions using discharge data among children (aged 0–17 years) and adults (aged 18 years or older) from the 2020 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality were examined. Risk factors associated with hospital admission following ED visits were identified using univariable and multi-variable logistic regression models. Results Among children, hospital admission after asthma-related ED visits was higher for females, ages less than 12 years, and discharged in January–March or in October–December and lower for Black children, Hispanic children, Medicaid or Medicare beneficiaries, other/no charge/self-pay, and in metropolitan non-teaching or non-metropolitan hospitals. Among adults, asthma ED visits resulting in hospital admissions were higher for females, ages 35 years or older, discharged in January–March, and for Medicare beneficiaries and lower for Black adults, Hispanic adults, adults of other races, other/no charge/self-pay, in metropolitan non-teaching or non-metropolitan hospitals, and median household income quartiles for patient’s ZIP Code of less than $59,000 were lower. Conclusions Sociodemographic factors, healthcare use, and household income were significantly associated with hospital admissions at the time of discharge from the ED. Examining hospital admission after an ED visit for asthma is important in identifying these groups and better addressing their healthcare needs.