What is the impact of SBHCs on use of hospital emergency rooms?
A study conducted in Ohio found that the risk of hospitalization and emergency department visits for children with asthma decreased significantly with school-based health center program. The potential cost savings for hospitalization was estimated as $970 per child. (Guo, Jang, Keller, McCracken, Pan, Cluxton, 2005) Medicaid-enrolled elementary students using a school-based health center had statistically significant lower emergency department expenditures compared to a similar population without access to a school-based health center. (Adams, Johnson, 2000) There was a significant decrease in emergency department utilization for elementary children with access to a SBHC compared to those without access to a SBHC (Kaplan, Brindis, Phibbs, Melinkovich, Naylor, Ahlstrand, 1999). Adolescents with access to a SBHC had fewer after hours emergent or urgent care visits compared to adolescents without access to a SBHC (Kaplan, Calonge, Guernsey, Hanraham, 1998). There was no impact on students
