THe Growing Role of ED in Hospital Admission

The number of hospital admis­ sions increased by 15.0%, from 34.3 million in 1993 to 39.5 mil­ lion in 2006; admissions from the ED increased by 50.4%, from 11.5 million to 17.3 million. The proportion of all inpatient stays involving admission from the ED increased from 33.5 to 43.8% (P<0.001). In 12 of the 13 condi­ tions for which patients were most frequently admitted and that met our inclusion criteria, an increased proportion of admitted patients came through the ED (P<0.001),