The Value of Urgent and Emergent Care in Otolaryngology

Abstract

The aim of this report is to review the literature regarding the value of care provided for urgent and emergent otolaryngologic conditions and to investigate alternative models of health care delivery. Ear, nose, and throat problems comprise a large portion of chief complaints in emergency departments (EDs). Otolaryngologic conditions are predominantly low acuity and may be handled on an outpatient basis, leading to a potential mismatch between the needs of the patient and the level of resources expended. Alternative models have been investigated both in otolaryngology and in other medical specialties, but the implications for quality of care and cost are uncertain. Urgent and emergent care for ear, nose, and throat conditions is not well studied and is ripe for new models of health care delivery, which may include specialty-specific EDs, clinics, and urgent care centers. Economic analysis of the models will be essential to provide evidence of value and is currently lacking.