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* Percentages are based on 3-year annual averages.

† 95% confidence interval.

During 2007–2009, ED visits in rural areas were least likely (8.3%) and visits in metropolitan areas were most likely (13.6%) to result in admission to the hospital associated with the ED. The percentage of ED visits that resulted in transferring the patient to another hospital was highest among rural hospitals (5.0%) compared with hospitals in metropolitan areas (1.5%) and in towns (2.0%).

Source: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Emergency department visit files. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/ahcd/ahcd_questionnaires.htm.

Reported by: Linda F. McCaig, MPH, lmccaig@cdc.gov, 301-458-4365; Esther Hing, MPH.

Alternate Text: The figure above shows hospital admission after emergency department (ED) visits, by type of locality, in the United States, during 2007-2009. During 2007-2009, ED visits in rural areas were least likely (8.3%) and visits in metropolitan areas were most likely (13.6%) to result in admission to the hospital associated with the ED. The percentage of ED visits that resulted in transferring the patient to another hospital was highest among rural hospitals (5.0%) compared with hospitals in metropolitan areas (1.5%) and in towns (2.0%).