Pediatric emergency training: an alternative teaching-patient care model

We describe a cost-effective alternative to the pediatric and general emergency department (ED), the emergent/urgent care clinic (EUC). The vast majority of pediatric Medicaid-eligible patients are rerouted from the ED to the EUC, where they receive care from pediatric residents and faculty. A retrospective analysis of patient encounter forms from two EUCs was performed. The type and distribution of diagnoses at the EUCs were comparable with published data from pediatric and general EDs. The cost of care in the EUC is significantly less than that in the ED, although the educational opportunities for house staff and patients are superior to those obtained in the traditional ED setting. A patient population that historically seeks episodic care in EDs is provided with continuity of care and disease prevention through screening, guidance, and up-to-date immunizations.