An Uncertain Future

The great majority of patients seen in emergency rooms (ERs) are not involved in emergencies. Their problems are minor or chronic in nature. Even when ailments are serious, there is rarely a need for immediate intervention. Patients come to ERs for a variety of reasons — some social, some economic, and some psychological — but the vast majority have simple problems that could be adequately treated in simpler facilities.The cost of ER care is much higher than that of equivalent office care. ERs are parts of hospitals, and their construction must adhere to the costly specifications of building codes. . . .