Trends in the ER examined

A poll conducted by state officials in Massachusetts suggests that repeat visitors to emergency rooms account for a disproportionate share of visits. That in itself isn't much news for hospitals, but some of the details uncovered make for interesting reading. According to researchers, about 4 percent of ER visitors account for about 17 percent of visits. Contrary to the prevailing myth, most have health insurance. The majority (55 percent) are female. One patient visited emergency rooms 254 times over the course of a 12-month period. Another clocked visits at 43 hospitals across the state during the same time frame.

- see this story from the Boston Globe

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