Buzz
Emergency rooms aren't only for critical cases: sometimes you have enough time to make a more thoughtful decision about where to go. (For instance, if your child needs help, it’s essential to find the closest pediatric-friendly ER.)
For all other situations, it's worth checking out ProPublica’s ER Inspector. We previously covered this tool years ago when it was called the 'ER Wait Watcher,' which provided estimated wait times, factoring in travel time, so you didn’t have to waste time at the ER if a quicker one was nearby.
The tool has since been upgraded to include information on safety violations discovered during investigations of complaints filed from January 2015 to the present. ProPublica details:
While [the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] publishes data on all kinds of hospital violations, or 'deficiencies,' we specifically focused on those concerning ER care. These violations include issues such as failure to properly assess and treat patients, insufficient medical and nursing staff, and non-compliance with ER protocols. It also covers violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which mandates that ERs provide a medical screening examination and stabilize anyone seeking emergency care, regardless of their financial situation.
While having this data won't guarantee you'll find the quickest or best ER, as hospitals may experience busier-than-usual days or there may be violations not uncovered in an investigation, it can provide you with more insight than a hasty late-night Google search for 'hospitals near me' when you're already feeling unwell or in pain.
