Visits to hospital emergency rooms are going up according to a poll ER physicians, despite the reforms implemented by the Act aimed at reducing the inflow to these - treatment centers.
Three-quarters over 2,000 emergency physicians who responded to a survey by the American College Emergency Physicians (ACEP) reported an increase. This represents a significant increase from a year ago when less than half reported increases.
Most the respondents reported little or no reductions in the volume emergency visits due to the availability urgent centers, retail clinics and telephone triage lines. They said the severity illness or injury among emergency patients has either increased (44%) or remained the same (42%).
"The reliance on emergency remains stronger than ever," said Michael Gerardi, MD, FAAP, FACEP, president the ACEP. "It's the only place that's open 24/7, and we never turn anyone away. Rather than trying to put a moat around us to keep people out, it's to recognize the incredible this model medicine that people need."
More than one-quarter (28%) the ER physicians reported significant increases in the number emergency patients, and more than half (56%) said the number patients is up.
ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.