Community perceptions of appropriate sources of emergency care

Two hundred eighteen residents in a suburban community northwest of Chicago were interviewed using standard telephone survey techniques. Respondents lived in an area served by two hospitals and two freestanding emergency centers (FECs) that had been in operation for three years prior to the survey. Those surveyed were asked to react to three common medical emergencies of graded levels of severity, small laceration, injured ankle, and myocardial infarction, to identify self-referral patterns of this community. Respondents were questioned about their knowledge and perception of the FECs and their hours of operation. Approximately 66.5% of the sample population was aware of the existence of these two centers. Fifty-four percent to 85.5% of respondents did not view these facilities as appropriate centers for the treatment of major emergencies. Only 58.3% (at 6:00 PM) and 63.3% (at 3:00 AM) of those surveyed would activate the emergency medical services system for a suspected myocardial infarction. Respondents made choices that would have delayed definitive care, including going to an FEC. Of those who thought they knew the hours of operation of the FECs, 65% believed these facilities were open 24 hours a day when, in fact, they were not.