At 7 days after discharge from the ED, 4.4% of patients in Edmonton and 5.0% in Calgary had re turned to the ED. In the NMU regions, 7.2% had returned. The estimated median time to the first follow-tiffany bangles on sale visit was 21 days for Edmonton, 19 days for Calgary and 26 days for the NMU regions.
DISCUSSION
This study explored presentations to EDs for asthma in 3 main regions of the province of Alberta during a 6-year period, using large provincial databases. The study demonstrated markedly higher rates of presentation in NMU regions in the province. Overall, a patient visits an ED in Edmonton, Calgary and the NMU regions tiffany bracelets on sale 64, 67 and 30 minutes, respectively. Patients with asthma in Edmonton, Calgary and the NMU regions are admitted to hospital every 2.1, 2.6 and 3.8 days.
Although it is important to put these visit rates in perspective, comparative data are sparse. Using a 1-year stratified sample of 16 hospitals in Ontario, the estimated age- and sex-standardized ED visit rates ranged from 1.7 to 10.1 per 1000 population for adults, again with marked variation.17 Our results demonstrate higher visit rates, especially in the NMU regions. Using a representative sample of EDs in the United States, an overall rate of 6.7 visits per 1000 population was reported, which had appeared to plateau despite marked variability.18 A higher proportion of patients with asthma are admitted to hospitals in the United States compared with tiffany Pendants on sale, a phenomenon which appears to be multifactorial.19
Our study identified new interregional differences and temporal trends. In each region studied, the number of asthma-related visits to EDs has remained relatively stable despite increasing populations. Explanations may include ED overcrowding that results in acute asthma being treated elsewhere, improved access to after-hours care in major centres and improved application of evidence-based management in primary care. Recent evidence has examined the association of air quality on asthma presentations.20,21 Nonurban air quality in Alberta may be influenced by proximity to cities and industrial pollution and other environmental allergens. Moreover, options for rural patients to seek care may be more limited because of the lack of available alternatives. Consequently, the severity of asthma in patients presenting to these sites may be lower.
Finally, the most important barrier tiffany earrings on sale asthma visits in urban Alberta is overcrowding in urban EDs. Emergency department overcrowding has been a growing concern across Alberta, especially in major centres.22 As proof, patients with asthma who presented to Edmonton and Calgary region facilities experienced longer stays, whether they were discharged or admitted to hospital. In keeping with national trends, adults waited longer than children. The use of inhaled corticosteroids and combination agents has been increasing in Canada,23 and status Aboriginals and welfare recipients within the urban centres have higher rates of asthma-related ED visits.24 Further research is required to determine the relative contribution of each of these factors.