The American journal of emergency medicine
-
Ever since the passage of the Texas Freestanding Emergency Medical Care Facility Licensing Act in 2009, freestanding Emergency Departments (FrEDs) have spread throughout Texas. This study aims to determine whether the entry of FrEDs has been associated with less congestion in hospital-based EDs. ⋯ The entry of FrEDs did not help relieve congestion in nearby hospitals in major metropolitan areas in Texas. By offering more treatment options to patients, FrEDs are associated with increased usage of emergency services.