SMJ Response

SMJ Response

Authors: Amy A. Ernst, MD

Abstract

As emergency medicine physicians, we are aware of the dreaded recurring patient: the “regulars,” “frequent flyers,” “repeaters,” “frequent visitors,” and “superusers.” The problem, however we name it, is recidivism. Recidivism is “a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially: relapse into criminal behavior.1

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References

1. Merriam-Webster.Dictionary. Recidivism. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recidivism. Accessed September 14, 2015.
 
2. Schenkel SM. Learning from the stories of homeless alcoholics. Ann Emerg Med 2015;65:187-188.
 
3. Millard WB. Grounding frequent flyers, not abandoning them: drug seekers in the ED. Ann Emerg Med 2007;49:481-486.
 
4. Passarello B, Levy Z, Levine B, et al. Recidivism among ED super users after implementation of a pain protocol. Am J Emerg Med 2015;3:584-586.
 
5. Moe J, Kirkland S, Ospina MB, et al. Mortality, admission rates and outpatient use among frequent users of emergency departments: a systematic review. Emerg Med J 2015. [Epub ahead of print] .
 
6. Kachalia A, Gandhi TK, Puopolo AL, et al. Missed and delayed diagnoses in the emergency department: a study of closed malpractice claims from 4 liability insurers. Ann Emerg Med 2007;49:196-205.