Emergency department visits in patients with low acuity conditions: Factors associated with resource utilization.

Objectives: To identify health beliefs of emergency department (ED) patients with low acuity conditions and how these affect ambulance (AMB) utilization.

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study on a convenience sample of patients 18years or older, who presented to the ED of an urban, academic hospital with an Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage level of 4 or 5. Demographics, treatment, and disposition data were obtained along with self-administered surveys.