Unveiling Trends: A 5-Year Analysis of Non-emergency Visits to the Emergency Department Amidst Primary Care Challenges in the USA and Canada

Abstract

Background: Regular unscheduled low-acuity visits to the emergency departments (ED) significantly cause crowding and prolonged wait times, adversely affecting patient outcomes. Aims: This study analyzes trends in non-emergency visits to emergency departments (EDs) in the USA and Canada over five years, focusing on the impact of socio-demographic factors and primary care accessibility. Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study; Using datasets from CIHI (Canada) and NCHS (USA), it identifies disparities in ED utilization across age, sex, and race, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on visit frequencies. Results: There are significant correlations between age and low-acuity visits, with females visiting more frequently in Canada and males in the USA. Pandemic-related changes led to a reduction in low-acuity visits by approximately 3.6% in the USA and 3.8% in Canada. A chi-square test of independence showed a significant relationship between age and triage levels at presentation (c.l= 0.95, p value = 0.05). Conclusion: The study underscores the need for policy interventions to enhance primary care access and reduce ED overcrowding. Further research is recommended to explore systemic factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior.