Yes, there has been an ongoing increase in the Pacific Northwest in the USA over the past several years. I assume that the increase is either due to the growing number of patients who do not have insurance and/or the number of patients who can not see their primary physician in a timely manner. Here in the US, any patient can be seen in the ED at anytime regardless of insurance or the ability to pay for the ED visit. This has been great in protecting the health of patients who require rapid medical intervention but simultaneously contributes to ED overcrowding. Our society in this part of the world expects rapid diagnosis and treatment which is probably why many patients do not want to wait to see their primary medical provider and will opt to present to the ED.

Hi Wayne, Here in the UK access to all NHS services is free yet the two different systems appear to have the same problem. Suggest a quick look on my website www.hcaf.biz in the Emergency Admissions folder. Hopefully publishing studies to confirm a new type of infectious outbreak within the next few months.

In Australia's public hospitals (about 3/4of the acute care sector) there were about 7.7 million emergency visits to public hospitals in 2010–11. Between 2006–07 and 2010–11, they increased by an average of 3.2% per year, but the trend seems to be decreasing slightly from around 4% in the earlier period. So there is a similar increase here.

Hi Susan, You may find this paper of interest as it uses data from Queensland. Tis more to this than meets the eye. http://www.hcaf.biz/2011/Trends_Bed_Occup.pdf more papers at www.hcaf.biz

Hi Ezequiel, Are you able to go back through the data using a running 12 month sum? You should be able to pick up periods of rapid increase. See http://www.omicsonline.org/widespread-outbreaks-of-a-subtle-condition-leading-to-hospitalisation-and-death-2161-1165.1000137.php?aid=20306 for a review. Many thanks for your contribution. Rod

Hi Ezequiel, These surges are very prominent in the UK and run parallel with very large increases in death (see http://www.hcaf.biz/2013/NHS_secret.pdf) and especially relate to attendances which are subsequently admitted. Preliminary research shows the magnitude of the effect is worse during the months when population Vitamin D levels are low. Happy to analyse the data if you can extract it at a monthly level. The effector also shows highly granular infectious-like spread at small area level (paper due out in new year).

Hi Ezequiel, Same sort of stuff happening over here but not quite as bad. The 2012 outbreak could not have come at a worse time, however, its impact during a time of austerity will hopefully attract some attention, However official government line at the moment is denial.