Don't Believe the Emergency-Room Laments

The latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control 2006 NHAMC Survey of Emergency Departments have been released. They highlight massive reductions in the numbers of emergency rooms, huge rises in attendance and increased waiting times.

But, a look under the hood shows that it's not all bad news.

You may have read about the massive decline in the numbers of Emergency Departments. The report indicates a 4.6% decline from 4,019 in 1996 to 3,833 in 2006.

The report fails to highlight that there was a 3.8% decline from 4,176 between 1995 and 1996, and this decline continued through 1998 -- by which time the damage was done. The actual situation in 2006 represents a welcome increase of 1% in the number of emergency rooms since last year's report. ...