It may be a popular perception that emergency departments are clogged with patients who don’t really need emergency attention, but a review of cases showed that only 12% of ED visits were not emergencies, “hyperusers” included those who there for drug overdoses (avoidable, but serious nonetheless), while most frequent visitors suffered from asthma, heart failure and diabetes.  Some who went to the ED for “severe indigestion” had aortic aneurisms.  The two authors of this piece, both ED physicians, argue that the best way to reduce unnecessary visits is in preventative medicine and wellness strategies.   MORE

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