New data on Emergency Department Overcrowding

Telephone Press Briefing

WHAT:
A new study to be published in the April 2002 Annals of Emergency Medicine on emergency department use and capacity in California, sheds light on the overcrowding problem nationwide and provides the first objective data on this crisis in the United States.

WHO:
Susan Lambe, MD—Lead author of “Trends in the Use and Capacity of California’s Emergency Departments, 1990-1999,” will talk about the study’s findings.

Brent Asplin, MD, MPH—A health policy expert, emergency physician, and member of ACEP’s Task Force on Overcrowding, will address why Dr. Lambe’s study provides important evidence that could prevent inappropriate health policy decisions from occurring in your local area. He also will discuss the causes of emergency department overcrowding and ambulance diversion across the country, and possible areas for policy solutions.

WHEN:
Thursday, March 28, 2002, 1:30 pm EDT/10:30 am PDT
Broadcasting Live on http://www.ACEP.org
Thursday, March 28, 2002

HOW:
INTERESTED JOURNALISTS PLEASE CALL—TOLL FREE: 877-679-9054
Please reference the “American College of Emergency Physicians Press Briefing.”

CONTACT:
Colleen Horn or Laura Gore at 202-728-0610 ext. 3010

ABOUT ACEP:
The American College of Emergency Physicians is a national medical society with more than 21,000 members who specialize in emergency medicine. ACEP is committed to improving the quality of emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education.