ACE Scores and Frequency of Emergency Room Utilization

Adverse Childhood Experiences otherwise known as ACEs are traumatic experiences during childhood that occur before the age of eighteen that are linked to abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. The ACE scores are calculated by a survey of 10 criterias in which an individual can qualify for one or more or none (Casa Mental Health, 2022). Annually in the United States, 130 million people visit the emergency room according to the National Center for Health Statistics (CDC, 2021). In the United States 61% of adults had at least once ACE and 16% had 4 or more types of ACEs (CDC, 2019). Emergency room (ER) nurses are likely to care for patients with ACE scores as studies show that over half the population has been exposed to ACE. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019), one in every six adults experience four or more types of ACEs during their childhood. This is crucial because it is known that exposure to ACEs are related to increased risk for health problems across the entire life span (CDC, 2019). The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice review is to explore the relationship between ACE scores and the frequency of emergency room or emergency department utilization. Nurses or other healthcare providers can use this information to provide better care and potentially reduce the utilization of the emergency department by directing patients to specialists related to the patient’s specific physical or mental healthcare needs.