title: Appointment-setting in the ED pleases patients, helps clinicians manage patient surges.
abstract: More than 20 hospitals in eight states are taking advantage of a service that enables patients with non-life-threatening conditions to set up appointments to be seen in the ED through an online resource. Critics of the practice are concerned that it will encourage patients to use the ED when they really should be seeing a primary care physician, but EDs that are using the service say patients are highly satisfied with the approach, and that it enables them to better control patient surges. Most hospitals that are using the service charge patients an extra fee to take advantage of online appointments, although some hospitals plan to waive this fee in the future. Experts say safeguards are essential to ensure that patients with life-threatening conditions come to the ED right away for care rather than waiting for an appointment. ED physicians contend the approach can be used to optimize resources.
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006300:Health Services Misuse; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055872:Surge Capacity; D014481:United States