Emergency Department Utilization by Crack-Cocaine Smokers in Dayton, Ohio

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2006

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, principal diagnoses, and correlates of emergency department (ED) visits made by persons with a history of crack-cocaine use (n = 333) over a 3-year period. Data were collected from participant self-reports and hospital records. During the study at total of 643 ED visits were made by 211 people, ranging from 53.5 to 76.7/100 persons/year. Injury and poisoning accounted for the largest single category of ED visits (29.5%). Men had lower odds of visiting the ED (OR = 0.79, 95%CI = 0.62-0.99), as did participants with higher levels of education (OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.73-0.94). Number of times in drug abuse treatment (OR = 1.04, 95%CI = 1.01-1.09), having a chronic disease (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.06-1.99), and higher Addiction Severity Index composite medical scores (OR = 1.62, 95%CI = 1.15-2.29) increased the odds of an ED visit. Factors in addition to drug use are likely to affect ED utilization rates among crack-cocaine smokers.

DOI

10.1080/00952990500328737

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