Abstract

The purpose of this research was to identify patterns of inappropriate use of Department of Defense Naval Medical Treatment Facilities Emergency Departments (ED), using a retrospective study. Sample data, N=1574, were extracted from the Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool database of patients who presented to Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Pensacola over a one month period (October 2002). The variables analyzed were age, gender, ethnicity, TRICARE Prime enrollment status, and the size of the treatment facility. A full model linear regression was used to determine the unique variance for the indicated variables associated with visit appropriateness. An analysis of the data yielded statistically significant results for age only, with F(9, 1564) = 2.791, p < .01, r²=.036 while holding all other variables constant. Additional analysis revealed significant differences among ethnicity and inappropriate ED visits, but no significant affect was revealed while holding constant the affects of other variables. The results of this study can be used by treatment facilities to target patient education programs at specific age groups.