Have you ever been the only customer in your local supermarket? Although the experience can be a bit unnerving, at first, you soon start to notice the advantages: No line at the deli, no pushy shoppers, no carts jamming up the produce section. As you breeze through checkout, you think to yourself, “Gee, I could get used to this.”
Now, imagine walking into an empty waiting area at your local emergency department. Although you might experience that same unnerving sensation, at first, you’d quickly notice some clear advantages. Within minutes, you’re registered, an I.D. band is placed on your wrist and you’re escorted into the treatment area. A well-trained physician greets you, examines you thoroughly, treats your problem and answers all your questions. As you leave the hospital in less time than it took you to drive there, you think, “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.”
Of course, most patients never experience such rapid ED care, but it is possible. In fact, it’s been happening in some places for some time now.
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