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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Emergency department and urgent care services

Reasons for Emergency Room Use Among U.S. Adults Aged 18-64: National Health Interview Survey, 2013 and 2014
Examines emergency room (ER) use among adults for 2013 and 2014. Includes data on the number of visits and reason for most recent ER visit, with information available by area of residence for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Reasons for ER visits included seriousness of the medical problem, doctor's office or clinic not open, and lack of access to other providers.
Author(s): Renee M. Gindi, Lindsey I. Black, Robin A. Cohen
Date: 02/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Estimated Costs of Rural Freestanding Emergency Departments
Provides an overview of the rural freestanding emergency department (RFED) model as a feasible alternative for hospitals at risk of closure, or preparing for closure, to keep emergency services within the rural community.
Author(s): J. Dunc Williams, Paula H. Song, George H. Pink
Date: 11/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Secondary Overtriage in a Statewide Rural Trauma System
Analyzes secondary overtriage in West Virginia hospitals to determine the efficiency of a statewide rural trauma system. Table 1 details non-transfer and transfer patient characteristics and table 5 details factors linked with secondary overtriage.
Author(s): Jorge Con, Dustin Long, Emily Sasala, et al.
Citation: Journal of Surgical Research, 198(2), 462-467
Date: 10/2015
Type: Document
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Mortality and Life Expectancy in Rural America: Connecting the Health and Human Service Safety Nets to Improve Health Outcomes over the Life Course
Policy brief describing the driving forces behind rural health disparities in Appalachian Kentucky. Offers nationally relevant recommendations for addressing these challenges. Discusses rural and urban differences in life expectancy and mortality rates, and other significant factors including behavioral health, substance abuse, population health, trauma care, and transportation.
Date: 10/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Comparison of Rates of Emergency Department Procedures and Critical Diagnoses in Metropolitan and Rural Hospitals
Compares experiences of emergency physicians practicing in rural and urban emergency departments to determine differences in the rates of selected procedures and critical diagnoses. Addresses the potential implications for rural emergency department rotations.
Author(s): James Waymack, Stephen Markwell, Joseph Milbrandt, Ted R. Clark
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 15(4), 3298
Date: 10/2015
Type: Document
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Not Just an Urban Phenomenon: Uninsured Rural Trauma Patients at Increased Risk for Mortality
Examines major trauma centers serving rural states to determine if rural uninsured patients have an increased risk of traumatic death. Includes data by type of insurance for adult trauma patient demographics, such as gender, race/ethnicity, and rurality.
Author(s): Azeemuddin Ahmed, Karisa K. Harland, Bryce Hoffman, et al.
Citation: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 16(5), 632-641
Date: 09/2015
Type: Document
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Rural Ambulatory Access for Semi-Urgent Care and the Relationship of Distance to an Emergency Department
Examines how distance to emergency departments and urgent care facilities impact semi-urgent ambulatory appointments. Assesses the effect of insurance coverage and ability to pay cash on a patient's achievement in scheduling appointments in rural and suburban areas along the Appalachian Trail.
Author(s): Ashley Parks, Andy Hoegh, Damon Kuehl
Citation: Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 16(4), 594-599
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
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Evaluation of Hospital-Setting HCIA Awards: First Annual Report, Final
Evaluations of 10 Health Care Innovation Awards Round One projects undertaken in a hospital inpatient or emergency department. Covers projects that involved Critical Access Hospitals and other rural hospitals. Includes projects focused on improved care for sepsis and projects using remote electronic intensive care unit (eICU) services.
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Emergency Department Visits and Proximity to Patients' Residences, 2009-2010
Provides data on how often patients go to the emergency department (ED) closest to their home. Includes comparisons for patients living inside metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and outside MSAs, with data on whether patients visited the closest ED by patient age, hospital visit volume, and ED wait times.
Author(s): Amy M. Brown, Sandra L. Decker, Frederic W. Selck
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Emergency Department Use in the US-Mexico Border Region and Violence in Mexico: Is There a Relationship?
Presents a study on the potential correlation between emergency department use and violence in Mexico along the U.S.-Mexico border. Breaks down data by state, payer, and patient characteristics, among other factors.
Author(s): Kimberley H. Geissler, George M. Holmes
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(3), 316-325
Date: 02/2015
Type: Document
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