Emergency Department Visits by Homeless Status and Sex: United States, 2016-2021.

Objectives-This report describes emergency department (ED) visits by homeless status and sex. Methods-Nationally representative estimates were calculated from data collected in the 2016-2021 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, an annual national probability sample survey of ED visits in the United States. Visits by people experiencing homelessness were defined using data on patient residence from medical records.

Trends in Emergency Department Visits Among People Younger Than Age 65 by Insurance Status: United States, 2010-2021.

Purpose-This report describes trends in emergency department visits among people younger than age 65 from 2010 through 2021, by health insurance status and selected demographic and hospital characteristics. Methods-Estimates in this report are based on data collected in the 2010-2021 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Data were weighted to produce annual national estimates.

Emergency Department Visit Rates by Adults With Diabetes: United States, 2020-2021.

In 2021, diabetes was the eighth leading cause of death in the United States (1). Over 37 million Americans have diabetes (2). While it most often develops in people older than age 45 (3), its frequency is increasing in young adults (4).

Opioids Prescribed to Adults at Discharge From Emergency Departments: United States, 2017-2020.

Opioids may be an effective treatment for chronic and acute pain when properly used (1). However, receiving an opioid prescription in the emergency department (ED) has been identified as a potential risk factor for long-term use (2). Between 2010-2011 and 2016-2017, the percentage of opioids prescribed at ED discharge decreased from 21.

Characteristics of Visits to Health Centers: United States, 2020.

Health centers provide comprehensive medical care in medically underserved communities (1). The number of health centers has expanded in the last decade from 1,124 sites in 2010 to 1,375 sites in 2020 (2,3). In 2020, nearly 29 million people received medical care from health centers regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay for care (3).

Emergency Department Visits for Influenza and Pneumonia: United States, 2016-2018.

In the United States, there were an estimated 810,000 hospitalizations attributable to influenza during 2017-2018 (1). Pneumonia is the most common respiratory complication of influenza (2). In 2019, the ninth leading cause of death was influenza and pneumonia and the death rate was 15.

Trends in Office Visits During Which Opioids Were Prescribed for Adults With Arthritis in the US, 2006-2015.

Objective: To analyze trends for visits to office-based physicians at which opioids were prescribed among adults with arthritis in the US, from 2006 to 2015.

Methods: We analyzed nationally representative data on patient visits to office-based physicians from 2006 to 2015 from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS). Visit percentages for first- and any-listed diagnosis of arthritis by age groups and sex were reported.

Emergency Department Visits Among Adults Aged 60 and Over: United States, 2014-2017.

In the United States, the number of older adults is increasing. From 2007 to 2017, the number of adults aged 60 and over increased from 52 million to 71 million, and during the same time period, the share of the U.S.

Opioids Prescribed at Discharge or Given During Emergency Department Visits Among Adults in the United States, 2016.

Opioid analgesics are primarily used to treat chronic and acute pain and, when used appropriately, can be an important part of treatment (1). Pain is a major symptom of patients visiting the emergency department (ED), with up to 42% of ED visits being related to pain (2). Opioids may either be administered in the ED as part of treatment, provided post-treatment in the form of a prescription, or both (3).

Characteristics of Visits to Primary Care Physicians by Adults Diagnosed With Hypertension.

Objective-This report describes the demographic, state, and regional differences in hypertension control and pharmaceutical treatment among visits to primary care physicians made by hypertensive adults during 2013-2014. Methods-Data are from the 2013-2014 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), a nationally representative survey of visits to nonfederal, office-based physicians. The sample design for the 2013-2014 NAMCS included oversampling in selected states.

Age Differences in Visits to Office-based Physicians by Adults With Hypertension: United States, 2013.

Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey •The percentage of all adult visits to office-based physicians made by adults with hypertension increased with age, from 9% for those aged 18-44 to 58% for those aged 75 and over. •Hypertensive medications were provided, prescribed, or continued at 62% of visits made by adults with hypertension. •Eighty-two percent of visits by adults with hypertension were made by those with multiple chronic conditions, and the number of chronic conditions increased with age.

Generalist and specialty physicians: supply and access, 2009-2010.

As the overall population ages, policy makers are focusing on the current and growing shortage of the primary care workforce (1–3), particularly as provisions of the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) expand health insurance coverage. This report presents selected trends in physician shortage measures and access to care measures for generalist physicians and specialists. Generalists are those in the specialties of family practice, general practice, internal medicine, and pediatrics, whereas specialists comprise all other specialties.

Availability of pediatric services and equipment in emergency departments: United States, 2006.

Objectives: This report presents data on the availability of pediatric services, expertise, and supplies for treating pediatric emergencies in U.S. hospitals.

Emergency department volume and racial and ethnic differences in waiting times in the United States.

Background: Racial and ethnic differences in emergency department (ED) waiting times have been observed previously.

Objectives: We explored how adjusting for ED attributes, particularly visit volume, affected racial/ethnic differences in waiting time.

Research Design: We constructed linear models using generalized estimating equations with 2007-2008 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data.

Ambulatory medical care utilization estimates for 2007.

Objectives: This report presents statistics on ambulatory care visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments (OPDs), and hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the United States in 2007. Ambulatory medical care utilization is described in terms of patient, provider, and visit characteristics.

Methods: Data from the 2007 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were combined to produce annual estimates of ambulatory medical care utilization.

Use of medical care for chronic conditions.

We used nationally representative data from the National Center for Health Statistics to compare 1995-96 and 2005-06 ambulatory care visit and 1996 and 2006 hospital discharge rates for adults for eight major chronic conditions. For the eight conditions combined, ambulatory care visit rates rose 21 percent, while hospital discharge rates fell 9 percent. Discharge rates fell for heart disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular disease.

Predisposing, Enabling, and Reinforcing Factors Associated with Mammography Referrals in U.S. Primary Care Practices.

OBJECTIVE: We examined how predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors influence mammography referrals by primary care physicians (PCPs). METHODS: Using the 2001-2003 National Ambulatory Medical Care and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, we identified visits to office (n=8,756) and outpatient (n=17,067) PCPs by women≥40 without breast symptoms or breast cancer. We examined mammography referrals by predisposing (age, race, ethnicity, education, chronic problem), enabling (income, payer, visits within 12 months, time with physician), and reinforcing factors (physician age, gender, specialty/clinic, PCP status, region, MSA, solo/group practice).

Racial and ethnic differences in delivery of tobacco-cessation services.

Background: Reducing racial and ethnic disparities in health care is an important national goal. Racial and ethnic differences in the delivery of tobacco-cessation services were examined in the course of visits to primary care physicians.

Methods: In 2007, data about tobacco screening were analyzed from 29,470 visits by adult patients to 2153 physicians in the 2001-2005 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a cross-sectional survey.

Ambulatory medical care utilization estimates for 2006.

Objectives: This report presents statistics on ambulatory care visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments (OPDs), and hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the United States in 2006. Ambulatory medical care utilization is described in terms of patient, practice, facility, and visit characteristics.

Methods: Data from the 2006 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) were combined to produce annual estimates of ambulatory medical care utilization.

Medication therapy in ambulatory medical care: United States, 2003-04.

Objective: This report describes medication therapy at visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments in the United States during 2003 and 2004. Office-based care is further subdivided into three categories-primary care, surgical specialties, and medical specialties.

Methods: Data from the 2003 and 2004 National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys (NHAMCS) were combined to produce averaged annual estimates of ambulatory medical care utilization.

Volume and characteristics of inpatient and ambulatory medical care for neck pain in the United States: data from three national surveys.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of national survey data.

Objective: To describe the volume and characteristics of outpatient visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments and emergency departments, and inpatient hospital utilization for neck pain in the United States. We also examined the use of pathology-based versus symptom-based diagnoses on a national scale.

Ambulatory care visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments: United States, 2001-02.

Objective: This report presents statistics on ambulatory care visits to physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and hospital emergency departments. Ambulatory medical care utilization is described in terms of patient, practice, facility, and visit characteristics. Office-based care is further subdivided into the categories of primary care, surgical specialties, and medical specialties.