According to a task force of the American College of Emergency Physicians, the state of emergency care in the United States is mediocre at best. The group gives the nation an overall grade of C- in its ability to provide quality emergency care, and to meet public health or terrorist disasters.
Nine states received a D+ including Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Arkansas. The top-rated states are Connecticut, California, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia.
California received the highest overall grade, with a B-plus, and Arkansas received the lowest overall grade, with a D more than half of the states received below-average grades for measures such as availability of hospital beds and emergency specialists, immunization rates, injury-prevention programs, medical malpractice laws and 911 telephone systems. According to the study, the number of emergency departments in the U.S. has decreased by 14% since 1993, as the number of emergency patients has increased, and according to the U.S. Hospital Association, 103,000 medical-surgical beds and 7,800 intensive-care beds were closed during the 1990s
The analysis "sounds an alarm on nurse shortages, ambulance diversions, low levels of state financial support and severe emergency room overcrowding" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/10).
The results are sobering. The national emergency health care system is in serious condition, with many states in a critical situation - (Washington Post, 1/10).
The report is based on data from 2002 and can be found at www.acep.org. The pdf can be accessed directly at this link.