A retrospective hospital database analysis on substance use-related emergency department visits in an Ontario University-affiliated hospital setting

Objectives: We conducted a retrospective hospital database analysis to study the emergency department visits which were attributed to substance use and the associated demographic factors. Methods: Data was gathered retrospectively from a University-affiliated hospital database for three urban Canadian hospital emergency departments between January 1^st, 2014 and December 31^st, 2014. There was a total of 2191 substance use related emergency department visits, represented by 1355 unique patients. We studied types of substances used and related factors, such as common age groups, sex, and disposition of patients. Results: Our results indicated that the most commonly abused substances involved in emergency department visits were alcohol, multiple drug use, and cannabis. Study also found females more likely to present with stimulant use, alcohol related presentations in senior males, adolescents presenting with cannabis diagnosis and more opiate presentations in adults. Conclusions: We suggested that further comprehensive investigations be made in order to better understand the factors related to substance use across a wide range of demographics.