Utilization of emergency and hospital services among individuals in substance abuse treatment

Julie A Cederbaum,Keyon R Mitchell,Tina Kim,Erick G Guerrero

doi:10.1186/1747-597x-9-16

Abstract

BackgroundTo examine risk factors for use of hospital services among racial and ethnic minority clients in publicly funded substance abuse treatment in Los Angeles County, California. We explored cross-sectional annual data (2006 to 2009) from the Los Angeles County Participant Reporting System for adult participants (n = 73,251) who received services from treatment programs (n = 231).MethodsThis retrospective analysis of county admission data relied on hierarchical linear negative binomial regression models to explore number of hospital visits, accounting for clients nested in programs. Client data were collected during personal interviews at admission.FindingsOur findings support previous work that noted increased use of emergency rooms among individuals suffering from mental health- and substance use-related issues and extend the knowledge base by highlighting other important features such as treatment need, i.e., residential compared to outpatient treatment.ConclusionsThese findings have implications for health care policy in terms of the need to increase prevention services and reduce costly hospitalization for a population at significant risk of co-occurring mental and physical disorders.

Highlights

To examine risk factors for use of hospital services among racial and ethnic minority clients in publicly funded substance abuse treatment in Los Angeles County, California
Our data revealed demographic, health, substance use, and program factors were associated with both emergency room (ER) use and hospitalization
Correlates of emergency room visits Several demographic and drug and mental health issues including race/ethnicity, sex, recent drug use, and an absence of mental health issues were associated with ER visits (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

To examine risk factors for use of hospital services among racial and ethnic minority clients in publicly funded substance abuse treatment in Los Angeles County, California. We explored cross-sectional annual data (2006 to 2009) from the Los Angeles County Participant Reporting System for adult participants (n = 73,251) who received services from treatment programs (n = 231). As ER visits rise, overall hospital costs increase, influencing quality of care [2,3]. In 2007, 41% of mental health or substance abuse patients who visited the ER were hospitalized [3], occupying needed beds and contributing to increased hospital costs [5]. Given the number of ER visits and hospitalizations attributable to substance use, understanding ways in which community-based substance use treatment facilities may reduce hospital costs is imperative

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Conclusion