A recent poll among northeastern Illinois emergency physicians suggests that the region, like many others across the U.S., faces a serious overcrowding problem. The study, conducted by the American College of Emergency Physicians, found that 99 percent of the region's doctors consider their ED to be overcrowded "frequently" or "almost always." What's more, almost nine out of 10 said that conditions had gotten worst over the last year.
With emergency physicians around the country facing similar complaints, the ACEP has thrown its support behind a new federal bill, the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act of 2007, which would address overcrowding and emergency preparedness. Among other measures, the bill would require hospitals to report ED boarding statistics to HHS.
To get more data on the problem:
- read this Chicago Tribune article
- read the ACEP press release on the subject