The following stories on emergency department volumes have been reported by Becker's Hospital Review this year, beginning with the most recent.
1. Higher ED Visits Follow Healthcare Reform in Massachusetts
A study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine found ED use steadily increased in Massachusetts after 2006 when the state implemented a healthcare reform policy similar to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
2. Retail Clinics Don't Impact ED Volumes
A report from Opera Solutions found no correlation between the presence of retail clinics and reductions in ED patient volumes.
3. 3 Strategies to Reduce ED Use
CMS discussed three strategies hospitals can use to reduce inappropriate use of their EDs.
4. 5 Steps to Handle ED Volume Increases
EmCare used five strategies to help Los Alamitos (Calif.) Medical Center handle increased volume in its ED.