Added Cost and Time Spent by Patients With History of Abuse in Florida Emergency Departments

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Interpersonal violence has significant short- and long-term health consequences.
• Victims of sexual abuse experience elevated healthcare costs and higher incidences of physical and mental health conditions.
• Understanding the economic and temporal impact of abuse history on healthcare utilization is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between a history of adult physical and sexual abuse (HAPSA) and healthcare costs.
• To investigate the relationship between HAPSA and the length of emergency department (ED) stays.
• To analyze these associations within the context of mental illness comorbidity among Florida residents.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Negative Binomial and Log-Linear Regression analyses.
• Examined healthcare costs and ED visit duration.
• Included demographic factors, insurance status, comorbidities, and facility type as variables.

Main Results:

• Increased ED visit duration was associated with a history of abuse, Hispanic ethnicity, lack of insurance, and multiple comorbidities.
• Higher healthcare costs were linked to White race, lack of insurance, multiple comorbidities, and for-profit hospital facilities.
• Comorbidity of mental illness with HAPSA was analyzed in relation to healthcare utilization.

Conclusions:

• A history of adult abuse significantly impacts ED visit duration.
• Healthcare costs are influenced by race, insurance status, comorbidity burden, and facility type.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and resource allocation for vulnerable populations within the healthcare system.