Informing low-acuity ED patients about non-emergency care options
Informing Low-acuity Emergency Department Patients of Non-emergent Healthcare Resources Following Discharge to Decrease Emergency Department Utilization (2)
This project will test whether sending a text message and adding information to your after-visit summary helps adults discharged from the ED with low-acuity visits use primary care or an intelligent triage tool instead of returning to the emergency department.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 8286 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Geisinger Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Danville, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07185828 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults discharged from a Geisinger emergency department with a low-acuity visit are randomly assigned to one of three outreach conditions: current standard practice, a message encouraging contact with their primary care provider, or a message directing them to use an Intelligent Triage tool. Outreach is delivered via a text message the day after discharge and information is added to the patient's after-visit summary. The study compares emergency department use over the following 120 days across the three groups. It also tracks whether patients follow through on the message-specific calls to action.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) who were discharged from the Geisinger ED within the past 24 hours with a low-acuity (L4 or L5) designation and who can be contacted by SMS are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot be reached by the study communication method (no SMS contact or opted out), those admitted to the hospital, or those who have already received the intervention in the past 365 days are unlikely to benefit from this enrollment opportunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce unnecessary ED visits and connect patients to more appropriate non-emergent care.
How similar studies have performed: Prior outreach and care-navigation interventions have shown modest reductions in low-acuity ED revisits, while automated intelligent triage tools have had more limited real-world evidence to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * \>= 18 years of age * Geisinger ED visit rated as low acuity (L4 or L5) * Discharged from Geisinger ED in past 24 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Cannot be contacted via the communication modality being used in the study (i.e., SMS), due to insufficient/missing contact information in the EHR or because the patient opted out * Admitted to hospital * Already included in intervention in past 365 days
Where this trial is running
Danville, Pennsylvania
- Geisinger — Danville, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Amir Goren, PhD — Geisinger Clinic
- Study coordinator: Amir Goren, PhD
- Email: agoren@geisinger.edu
- Phone: 570-214-4395
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.