Recorded presentation

Nelson Adekoya, DrPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS-K74, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-8406, nba7@cdc.gov

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are an important source of medical care in the United States. Little information is available concerning epidemiologic patterns of ED visits for infectious diseases. Methods: Data for 2001 from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) were analyzed for infectious disease visits. NHAMCS is a national probability sample survey of visits to hospital EDs and outpatient departments of non-Federal, short-stay, and general hospitals in the United States. Data are collected annually and are weighted to generate national estimates. Results: In 2001, an estimated 19.8 million visits were made to hospital EDs for infectious diseases (rate = 71 visits/1,000 persons). Children aged less than 15 years made 36% of these visits; this group also had the highest rate of visits (rate = 119 visits/1,000 persons). The rate of visits for females was 37% higher than for males (82 versus 60/1,000 persons). Although the white population had the highest volume of visits, the rate of visits for blacks was more than twice that of whites (130 versus 64 visits/1,000 persons). Laboratory tests were ordered in 84% of visits. Conclusion: An estimated 18% of visits to the EDs is related to infectious diseases. The reason for the higher rate of visits for blacks than for whites is unknown.

Learning Objectives:

• To provide an estimate of infectious diseases treated in emergency departments in the United States
• To describe racial differences in the rate of visits to hospital emregency departments for infectious diseases

Keywords: Emergency Department/Room, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation