The ED is an efficient place to treat ED patients

Health-Seeking Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Adolescents Attending An Urban Pediatric Emergency Department

“…As mentioned earlier, EDs are well equipped for specimen collection, processing, and if necessary, follow-up. Similarly, while some have suggested that higher copays and longer wait times make EDs expensive and inefficient places to treat non-acutely ill patients, other studies have argued that the true costs of non-urgent care in the ED are relatively low and that the potential savings from diversion to private physicians' offices was found to be less than previously believed (12,13).…”

Triage: Better Tools but the Wrong Problem

“…They have the right equipment, trained personnel, and easy access to laboratory facilities, imaging, and consultations. 1 Even with their current delays, they are considerably faster than primary care clinics. My MCO specifically states that one should not use EDs for mere ''convenience'' and gives a list of examples of problems that should instead be treated in clinics.…”