Emergency physicians will attend hundreds of courses on the latest clinical innovations in the specialty of emergency medicine, debate the latest controversies, and discuss the growing crises of overcrowding and lack of medical liability insurance, which is threatening patient care. For brochure of all activities, highlights of significant courses, and a news media registration form, call 202-728-0610, ext 3006.

Emergency departments are operating at critical capacity in the United States, said Michael L. Carius, MD, President of ACEP. More than 1,000 hospital emergency departments have closed in the past decade while the number of emergency patients has increased dramatically to over 108 million annually. Emergency medicine is an essential community service, but we are facing many challenges, including a lack of resources, staffing shortages, and a medical liability insurance crisis.

ACEP will sponsor a special briefing for the news media about the state of emergency medicine during the meeting. In addition, award-winning author, television commentator, and columnist Jeff Birnbaum will address the General Session on Sunday, October 6 at 9 a.m.

Included in the program are courses on the role of emergency physicians in terrorism response, such as those examining the differences between flu and biologic agents (Is It Influenza?). Other courses will focus on such topics as protecting patient medical records (HIPAAchondria: Can You Still Get Medical Records?) and the new ACLS guidelines, which will be debated by nationally recognized emergency physicians. Dr. Jeffrey Runge, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrat
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Contact: Laura Gore
lgore@acep.org
20-272-806-103-007
American College of Emergency Physicians
21-Aug-2002