With the development and growth in the industry, Free Standing Emergency Centers have yet to communicate a clear definition to the academic emergency medicine associations. While some facilities claim to be an “Emergency Center,” upon inspection, what is revealed is a facility that just treats higher acuity care (Urgent Care), not true emergencies.

These facilities are usually not set up to manage patients needing CTs, ultrasounds, or higher acuity emergency care. In fact, most urgent cares are not staffed by board certified emergency physicians in contrast to FSECs. These issues were discussed at the ACEP Council Meeting in Denver last October (2012) when an FSEC resolution was introduced by the Texas Chapter of ACEP.

Those in the FSEC industry have a responsibility to create their own definition for recognition in the profession of emergency medicine. Those interested in FSECs have an opportunity to shape the future by joining the FSED section. A direct link to the online petition for the formation of an ACEP FSED section is at www.acep.org/Membership-top-banner/New-Section-Petitions/

Dr. Ybarra is an emergency physician and Chief Medical Officer at ConcilER in Harlingen, Texas. Ms. Garza is an owner/administrator at ConcilER.