This research estimated costs of excess utilization of health services associated with alcohol and other psychoactive drug (AOD) treatment need among Tennessee adult hospital emergency department (ED) patients. A two-stage probability procedure was used in selecting 7 hospitals and the sample of 1,502 patients. Data sources were ED logs, interviews, toxicologic screens, and state general hospital and hospital discharge data. Data were analyzed using SUDAAN. Patients needing AOD treatment (27.5%) manifested a 54% and 31% excess of one or more self-reported visits and hospitalizations, respectively. This translated into estimated excess costs of $547.5 million and $883.2 million, respectively (based on 1999). AOD treatment need was associated with an 85% excess likelihood of hospital admission among ED patients, or excess costs of $1.9 billion. Extrapolation produced national estimates of $26.1 billion and $42.1 billion excess costs in respective ED visits and hospitalizations in the past year, and $91.5 billion in excess costs of current hospital admissions. Implications for AOD treatment are discussed.
Learning Objectives: (1) to understand differences in utilization of health services based on self-report versus hospital records (2) to identify the steps in calculating comparative costs of health services among ED patients according to their alcohol and other drug treatment need status
Keywords: Drug Abuse Treatment, Emergency Department/Room
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.