The Impact of Emergency Department Alternatives

Urgent care centers, boutique emergency rooms, free standing emergency departments and retail clinics: How do all of these non-traditional emergency facilities fit in the paradigm of emergency medicine? What works? What doesn't work? What is the best for the patient and for healthcare? Dr. Jack Franaszek, director of the emergency department at Lake Forest Hospital and clinical associate professor at University of Chicago, elaborates on the structure and the financial impact of the multi-tiered options of emergency care. He discusses how all of these tiers of acute healthcare are eating up dollars. And will it be for the better? Dr Shira Johnson hosts.