Massachusetts Rule Does Not Increase ED Wait Times
A Massachusetts rule implemented in January 2009 that requires emergency departments in the state to accept all patients delivered by ambulance has not worsened ED overcrowding. Patients who were admitted to the hospital spent between five and five-and-a-half hours in the ED on average, while patients who were discharged spent about 2.5 hours in the ED. The wait times are similar to the average times before the rule took effect.
- "State's ER Policy Passes Checkup" (Kowalczyk, Boston Globe, 12/14).