Second Annual Benchmarks in Reducing Avoidable ER Use: Pain Management Driving 'Ultra Utilizers'

Summary: The use of nurse-only health advice lines to reduce avoidable ER visits is up 10 percent over 2010 levels, according to HIN's second annual survey on reducing avoidable emergency room use. In this podcast, Melanie Matthews shares key metrics from the 2011 survey, including program availability, health advice line use, new benchmarks on contributions from health coaches and health educators in this area and the biggest barrier to program launch. Also, Dr. Mina Chang describes the methodology behind Ohio Medicaid's interventions to encourage appropriate ED utilization by this population.