Ambulatory Care Sensitive Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits in Baltimore City

by Carole Roan Gresenz, Teague Ruder, Nicole Lurie

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Provides an in-depth analysis of ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) inpatient hospitalizations and emergency department visits among Baltimore City residents. ACS inpatient hospitalization rates and ACS emergency department visit rates are commonly used as markers for the availability and efficacy of primary care in an area.

ACS rates in Baltimore City are substantially higher than those in other Maryland counties, in Maryland as a whole, and in the District of Columbia. While a range of factors contributes to ACS rates, evidence suggests that a key determinant is the availability of primary care. Baltimore City appears to need additional primary care and may also need to focus on the quality and effectiveness of care in order to lower ACS rates.

The research described in this report was sponsored by the Aaron and Lillie Straus Foundation. The research was conducted in RAND Health, a division of the RAND Corporation.

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