Clinical Scorecard: Patterns and Hospital Influences on Patients Departing from Emergency Departments Without Consultation, 2015-2024

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Overall LWBS rates decreased from 2.8% in 2015 to 2.2% in 2020, then increased to 3.4% in 2022 before decreasing to 2.6% in 2024.
• LWBS rates were significantly higher at urban (2.6%) vs rural (2.1%) hospitals.
• Government-owned hospitals had higher LWBS rates (3.9%) compared to for-profit hospitals (2.4%).
• Safety net hospitals exhibited higher LWBS rates (3.3%) compared to non-safety net hospitals (2.3%).
• Disparities in LWBS rates may impair equitable emergency care access.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Monitor LWBS rates as an indicator of ED crowding and healthcare system performance.

Management

• Address systemic strains contributing to ED crowding to reduce LWBS rates.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Utilize hospital characteristics (ownership, trauma center status) to assess LWBS performance.

Risks

• Increased LWBS rates may lead to adverse health outcomes due to delayed care.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients presenting to emergency departments in California

Consider hospital characteristics when evaluating LWBS rates and access to care.

Clinical Best Practices

• Implement strategies to reduce ED crowding and improve patient flow.
• Regularly review and analyze LWBS data to identify trends and disparities.
• Engage in community outreach to address barriers faced by underserved populations.

Related Resources & Content

• Study on LWBS trends in California EDs