Using Physician-Level Emergency Department Utilization Reports to Address Avoidable Visits by Patients Managed by Pediatric Specialists

OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) utilization is a major driver of cost. Specialist physicians have an important role in addressing ED utilization, especially at tertiary medical centers that treat highly specialized patients. We analyzed if reporting of ED utilization to pediatric specialist physicians can decrease ED visits. METHODS: Physicians within pediatric neurology, hematology and oncology, infectious diseases, and pulmonary divisions received their ED use reports. By using control charts, we examined if this intervention decreased the rate of ED utilization. RESULTS: Overall, for the 4 divisions, specialty-related ED utilization decreased significantly during all hours, weekdays, and office hours. This was in the setting of ED utilization increasing for all diagnoses ED visits. Pediatric ED volume did not change during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Physician-level reporting of ED utilization was associated with a reduction in ED use by patients managed by our pediatric specialists.