It's an important question. One thought the article provoked for me is whether knowledge of wait times at ERs could influence the number of patients who would elect an urgent care facility instead of the ER.
A problem ERs often have is patients who choose the ER even though the condition does not really need emergency service, eg a child's cold.
It's a sad commentary on American health care that the ER will probably be free for many disadvantaged patients, whereas urgent care will not. A grave misallocation of scarce resources on a mammoth scale.
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Bruce Hartman
Professor
University of St. Francis
Tucson, AZ United States
bruce@ahartman.netwebsite:http://drbrucehartman.net/brucewebsite/
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2023 15:54
From: Ashley Smith
Subject: Utilizing Data to Predict Hospital Wait Times – It Can Save More than Your Patience!
BALTIMORE, MD, June 8, 2023 – Headed to the emergency department (ED)? How should you decide which nearby ED to go to so that you can get in and out? New research in the INFORMS journal Manufacturing & Service Operations Management uncovers how best to showcase hospital wait times to not only save your patience, but increase efficiency, more accurately route emergency vehicles and save money.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Ashley Smith
Public Relations Specialist
INFORMS Public Affairs Coordinator
Baltimore MD
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