Healthcare Update Satellite 07-29-2013

Look for more health care stories from around the web at my other blog at DrWhitecoat.com InQuickER has some competition for violating EMTALA in the “reserve a spot for my emergency department visit” market. Massachusetts hospital using service called “ResERved” and another company called ER Express is also filling this niche … at least until malpractice attorneys realize that EMTALA violations and decisions from hospital administrators to utilize these services aren’t subject to state malpractice caps and also bring in another set of “deep pockets” when patients suffer an injury. Brazilian man dies when cow falls through roof of his home and lands on him in bed. Family doesn’t blame cow, but rather blames the excessive amount of time that the patient waited to be examined in the hospital. Now the owner of the cow could be charged with manslaughter. Those commenting to the article note how red meat isn’t good for you. Why do low income patients go to the emergency department? 1. More accessibility. If you’re bored some day, get a list of doctors offices in your area, call around and tell them that you have Medicaid and need an appointment as soon as possible. Walk into the emergency department and you get evaluated by a medical professional. 2. Lower out of pocket costs. Primary care physicians sent many patients to multiple specialists – each who required a co-pay. Emergency departments took care of the problems in one visit. 3. Higher quality of ...
Source: WhiteCoat's Call Room - Category: Emergency Medicine Doctors Authors: Tags: Healthcare Update Source Type: blogs