Emergency department utilization by crack-cocaine smokers in Dayton, Ohio

Harvey A. Siegal, Russel S. Falck, Jichuan Wang, Robert G. Carlson, Kristen P. Massimino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, principal diagnoses, and correlates of emergency department (ED) visits made by persons with a history of crack-cocaine use (n = 333) over a 3-year period. Data were collected from participant self-reports and hospital records. During the study a total of 643 ED visits were made by 211 people, ranging from 53.5 to 76.7/100 persons/year. Injury and poisoning accounted for the largest single category of ED visits (29.5%). Men had lower odds of visiting the ED (OR=0.79, 95%CI = 0.62-0.99), as did participants with higher levels of education (OR=0.83, 95%CI=0.73-0.94). Number of times in drug abuse treatment (OR=1.04, 95%CI=1.01-1.09), having a chronic disease (OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.06-1.99), and higher Addiction Severity Index composite medical scores (OR=1.62, 95%CI=1.15-2.29) increased the odds of an ED visit. Factors in addition to drug use are likely to affect ED utilization rates among crack-cocaine smokers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-68
Number of pages14
JournalAmerican Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2006

Keywords

  • ASI
  • Cocaine
  • Crack
  • Emergency department utilization
  • Substance abuse

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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