TABLE 3.
Evaluation and management strategies for ED visits older patients with a chief complaint of abdominal pain, comparing survey-weighted visits for a chief complaint of abdominal pain to other visits in NHAMCS, 2013–2017
| Variable | Other chief complaint (n = 15,398) | Abdominal pain chief complaint (n = 1042) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-ray without ultrasound or CT, % (SE) | 47.4 (0.9) | 15.8 (1.8) | <0.001 |
| Abdominal CT, % (SE) | 6.5 (0.3) | 55.0 (2.6) | <0.001 |
| Ultrasound, % (SE) | 3.8 (0.3) | 8.2 (1.4) | <0.001 |
| Ultrasound or CT, % (SE) | 9.9 (0.4) | 60.0 (2.6) | <0.001 |
| EKG/ECG, % (SE) | 44.5 (1.0) | 39.3 (2.0) | 0.01 |
| Labs, % (SE) | 65.9 (1.0) | 88.5 (1.2) | <0.001 |
| NSAIDs, % (SE) | 7.3 (0.4) | 9.3 (1.2) | 0.07 |
| Proton pump inhibitors, % (SE) | 3.4 (0.3) | 9.4 (1.3) | <0.001 |
| Acetaminophen, % (SE) | 8.6 (0.4) | 5.3 (1.1) | 0.02 |
| Opiates, % (SE) | 21.9 (0.7) | 43.4 (2.1) | <0.001 |
| Any analgesic, % (SE) | 37.7 (1.0) | 52.6 (2.1) | <0.001 |
| IV fluids, % (SE) | 38.0 (1.2) | 58.7 (2.1) | <0.001 |
Abbreviations: ED, emergency department; M, mean; n, number of observations; SE, standard error.
Source: NHAMCS, National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.