Utilization of a rural hospital in Ontario, Canada: understanding reasons for repeat emergency department visits and multiple admissions over a fourteen-month period

Abstract

This study highlights the most common reasons for repeat emergency department (ED) visits and diagnoses of repeat hospital admissions at the Smooth Rock Falls Hospital, located in a rural community in Northern Ontario, Canada. The aim of this study was to help hospital administrators identify patients at high risk of frequent hospital resource utilization (ED visit or admissions) so that if appropriate, they may be redirected to alternative services available in the community. Therefore, the two main research questions for this study were: (1) Which types of patients are more prone to having repeat ED visits and hospital admissions; and (2) What types of services could help improve the health of these patients?