Informing low-acuity ED patients about non-emergency care options
Official title: Informing Low-acuity Emergency Department Patients of Non-emergent Healthcare Resources Following Discharge to Decrease Emergency Department Utilization (2)
Run by Geisinger Clinic · NCT07185828 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 8286 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Geisinger Clinic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Danville, Pennsylvania) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07185828 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.