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Overcrowded ERs: what's the cause and solution?
Posted: 05.25.2010 at 7:22 PM
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New study prompts disagreement
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is out with a statewide study that says thousands are visiting ERs, who could be treated elsewhere for less expense, and with better results.
Dr. Arthur Vercillo, regional president of Excellus BCBS, says the Upstate numbers show it's as much an issue here as in other parts of New York: that in 2008, more than 640,000 ER visits were for minor medical problems, further straining ER capacity. Vercillo says the insurer, Central New York's largest, is looking at ways to encourage people to use other medical resources, like urgent cares, or waiting for treatment from a personal physician who's more familiar with the patient's symptoms.
Dr. John McCabe, CEO of University Hospital, is disturbed by the report and says it includes incorrect information. He says the people who could go elsewhere are only 3% of the ER load, and that they're handled easily. He says the issue is how cases that come into emergency treatment are moved to other parts of the hospital for further care, and that the solution to ER backups is bettering the patient flow through the whole hospital system.
Both insurer and the area's busiest emergency room agree they don't want to discourage people who think they need emergency care from coming in for treatment. Vercillo says he'd like community debate on fixing the overcrowding.
Based on the first day reaction, the debate could be spirited.