Emergency medical care in California is in crisis. Over 70 trauma centers closed in the state between 1990 and 2004. In Los Angeles County, the problem is even more pronounced. In the past decade, demand for ER services has risen by 27%, but the capacity has dropped 10%. Another LA County ER, Memorial (in Inglewood), is scheduled to shut down in November and the effect of that closure will likely spread far beyond its immediate neighborhood.
When ERs become too crowded to accept new patients, they go on “diversion”, closing their doors to incoming ambulances. A 2004 UCLA study found that ER diversions in LA County more than tripled between 1998 and 2004 and the CDC estimates one ambulance in the United States is diverted every minute.
If fewer and fewer emergency rooms are open to incoming patients, what kind of care can you expect when you call 911?
- National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians
- Two Studies Document Ambulance Diversion Problem, American College of Emergency Physicians Press Release on Ambulance Diversions
- American College of Emergency Physicians, California Chapter
- “Inglewood Hospital to Close Emergency Room”, Los Angeles Times, September 20, 2006
October 5th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
Ask the hospitals what they charge health insurance companies for trauma services. They are gouging the consumer and employers!
October 6th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
A great report. Now, I have a more informed insight into why when my elderly mother when taken to emergency has waited up to 9 hours to be admitted to a hospital room. In is a miracle that she is attended to immediately.
My mother has advanced Parkinson Disease and depends on tube feedings for her subsistence and existence.
Thanks again, for the great report. I am now wondering what role I can play in addresing the problem. Any ideas……. ?
Carole Kennerly
October 11th, 2006 at 12:38 am
A good, timely report. Note that a big chunk of the funds gathered by Prop 86 will go towards increasing access to children’s health care and to emergency rooms. It won’t be enough to solve the ER problem, but if it passes, it will be a good start.
February 20th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Carole, you asked what role you can play. We need a single public health insurance system in the state, like education and firemen. Senator Sheila Kuehl has authored a bill, SB 840, co-authored by scores of our representatives in California, to bring single-payer health insurance to the state. You can help by getting in touch with your local Health Care for All chapter - see www.healthcareforall.org - and write to your representatives to urge their support of this excellent bill.