Emergency Room Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the demand for emergency services has risen over the past 15 years. However, the number of emergency departments has been steadily decreasing, contributing to longer wait times for patients and overcrowding in the ER. As a result, it is important to understand the information available about emergency room use and function.
Emergency Room Visits
The CDC performs surveys and studies to collect data on emergency room use. The following are CDC emergency room statistics for the year 2007:
- 116.8 million people visited the emergency room.
- 39.4 million of these people came to the ER in response to injuries.
- In 12.5 percent of visits, patients were admitted to the hospital.
- Among people under the age of 65, those who had insurance coverage were no more or less likely to visit the ER than those who did not have coverage.
- The classification of urgency or speed of care was not related to insurance coverage.
- Those with a regular medical care provider were no more or less likely to visit the ER than those without.
By studying how emergency rooms are used by different groups of people, we can begin to understand how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health care services on a national, state, and local level.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one is in need of quality emergency care, the Houston medical staff at Bellaire Emergency Center is always prepared to offer the help you need. Contact us today at 713-669-9900.
