Emergency department utilization and resuscitation rate among patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a growing global health concern with increased disease burden and high medical costs. Utilization of the emergency department (ED) among dialyzed patients and the associated risk factors remain unknown.

Participants of this study, selected from the National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan, were aged 19-90 years and received maintenance hemodialysis from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010. A control group consisting of individuals who did not receive dialysis, selected from the same data source, were matched for age, sex, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Subgroup analysis with hemodialysis frequency was also performed. ED utilization among enrolled individuals was assessed in 2012. Generalized estimating equations with multiple variable adjustments were used to identify risk factors associated with resuscitation during ED visits.

One group of 2985 individuals who received maintenance hemodialysis, and another group of 2985 patients that did not receive hemodialysis, between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, were included in this study. There were 4822 ED visits in the hemodialysis group, and 1755 ED visits in the non-dialysis group between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. Analysis of multivariable generalized estimating equations identified the risk associated with resuscitation during ED visits to be greater in individuals who were receiving maintenance hemodialysis, aged older than 55 years, hospitalized in the past year, and assigned first and second degree of triage.

Patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis had higher ED utilization and a significantly higher risk of resuscitation during ED visits than those without hemodialysis.