A 5-year comparison of ED visits by homeless and nonhomeless patients

A 2005 study examined emergency department (ED) utilization by homeless patients in the United States. Within the following 5 years, unemployment increased by 5%.

The objective was to analyze changes in ED utilization between 2005 and 2010 by homeless patients and compare with nonhomeless visits.

Data from the 2010 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were evaluated.

Approximately 679854 visits were made by homeless patients, the majority of which were made by men (72.3%) and patients between the ages of 45 and 64 (50.5%). Homeless patients were twice as likely to be uninsured. ED visits by homeless patients had increased by 44% during the 5-year period. Arrival to the ED by ambulance increased by 14% between the study years, and homeless patients were less likely to be admitted.

The number of visits by homeless patients in the ED increased proportionally to an overall increase in ED visits between 2005 and 2010.