Factors Influencing Hospital Admission of Non-critically Ill Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department: a Cross-sectional Study

Background Little is known about the factors that influence physicians’ admission decisions, especially among lower acuity patients. For the purpose of our study, non - medical refers to all of the factors—other than the patient’s clinical condition—that could potentially influence admission decisions. Objective To describe the influence of non-medical factors on physicians’ decisions to admit non-critically ill patients presenting to the ED. Design Cross-sectional study of hospital admissions at a single academic medical center. Participants Non-critically ill adult patients admitted to the hospital ( n = 297) and the admitting emergency medicine physicians ( n = 34). Main Measures A patient survey assessed non-medical factors, including primary care access and utilization. A physician survey assessed clinical and non-medical factors influencing the decision to admit. Based on physician responses, admissions were characterized as “strongly acuity-driven,” “moderately acuity-driven,” or “weakly acuity-driven.” Among these admission types, we compared length of stay, cost, and readmission within 30 days to the hospital or ED. Key Results Based on the admitting physician’s assessment, we categorized the motivation for admission as strongly acuity-driven in 185 (62 %) admissions, moderately acuity-driven in 92 (31 %), and weakly acuity-driven in 20 (7 %). Per the physician surveys, 51 % of hospitalizations were strongly or moderately influenced by one or more non-medical factors, including lack of information about baseline conditions (23 %); inadequate access to outpatient specialty care (14 %); need for a diagnostic testing or procedure (12 %); a recent ED visit (11 %); and inadequate access to primary care (10 %). Compared with strongly-acuity driven admissions, admissions that were moderately or weakly acuity-driven were shorter and less costly but were associated with similar rates of ED (35 %) and hospital (27 %) readmission. Conclusions Non-medical factors are influential in the admission decisions for many patients presenting to the emergency department. Moderately and weakly acuity-driven admissions may represent a feasible target for alternative care pathways.