Is it Really an Emergency?
20 Dec 2011
The Albuquerque Coalition for Healthcare Quality launched a series of radio ads to educate patients about when to use an emergency department (ED) or an urgent care facility. In addition to radio ads, the Alliance is also implementing print ads in local newspapers and posters in public buildings and private employer sites. This campaign aims to reduce non-emergency visits to the ED, resulting in higher quality of care, improved efficiency, and shorter ED wait times. Pat Montoya, director of ACHQ, notes that this public service announcement initiative is part of a bigger strategy at the AF4Q Alliance in Albuquerque: "It's not that people don't always know where to go. Part of our challenge is access [to] and availability of healthcare."