Emergency Department Utilization Among Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Comparison of Those...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Public Health
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have higher emergency department (ED) utilization rates.
• Factors like complex needs and healthcare access barriers contribute to increased ED use.
• The impact of specialized primary care on ED reliance in this population is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of the Program for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (PAIDD) on ED utilization.
• To compare ED visit frequencies between PAIDD patients and a control group.
• To investigate the influence of housing status on ED use among adults with IDD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study design.
• Comparison of ED visit rates between PAIDD participants and a control group of adults with IDD.
• Analysis of housing status (living with family, independently, or in a facility) as a potential predictor.

Main Results:

• PAIDD patients showed a statistically significant reduction in ED visits compared to the control group (p=0.004).
• Housing status was not found to be an independent predictor of ED utilization (p=0.093).
• Multidisciplinary care models appear to enhance continuity and reduce avoidable ED visits.

Conclusions:

• Structured, multidisciplinary healthcare programs like PAIDD can effectively decrease ED utilization in adults with IDD.
• Expanded university-based IDD healthcare programs are crucial for improving care access and preventive strategies.
• Integrating dedicated IDD clinics in academic medical centers can enhance health equity and outcomes for individuals with IDD.