{"id":20279,"date":"2019-01-15T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2019-01-15T17:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=20279"},"modified":"2025-03-07T10:39:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T17:39:55","slug":"what-is-a-freestanding-er","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/what-is-a-freestanding-er\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a freestanding ER?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you or a member of your family has a medical emergency like chest or abdominal pain, signs of a stroke or difficulty breathing, it\u2019s critical to get help fast.<\/p>\n

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Stand-alone ERs can be more convenient and closer to home for true emergencies. Learn how to tell whether you should visit a freestanding ER, an urgent care, your primary care doctor or a hospital. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That\u2019s when a freestanding ER can be ideal because these facilities are often closer to home than a large hospital. And at stand-alone facilities, you\u2019ll find the same highly qualified emergency medicine doctors and specially trained emergency nurses who have worked in trauma centers.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will get the finest care,\u201d said Dr. Mike Mitchell, medical director for the emergency department at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital<\/a> and regional medical director for freestanding ERs in the Denver area.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s often more convenient, more personal and more intimate,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cWe have time to sit and talk with you. Yet, you\u2019re going to receive the same high quality care that you would in a hospital. We can stabilize and treat any condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Related: Aurora mom saves her family from carbon monoxide poisoning<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Mitchell emphasized that freestanding ERs are not urgent care facilities. They\u2019re only for true emergencies, not for an urgent issue like a cut, sprain, possible broken bone, migraine, sore throat or the flu.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have a cough or a cold, that can be handled by your primary care provider, in urgent care or through a virtual care visit,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

Primary care clinics, urgent care centers and Virtual Urgent Care visits are less expensive than both freestanding and hospital-based emergency rooms.<\/p>\n

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But, if someone is unconscious or appears to be having trouble speaking, moving a limb or breathing, emergency care is critical. Freestanding ERs provide fast help close to home. They\u2019re usually small, with an average of about eight beds. Because freestanding ERs typically are smaller and much less busy than hospital ERs, wait times often are shorter than at larger facilities. And doctors do personal follow-up calls with each patient.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I worked in a hospital, I could spend about five minutes with a patient. Now, I can sit down and spend 10 to 15 minutes with each person. Our wait time from the time you walk in the door until a physician sees you is about three minutes,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n

In a true emergency, Mitchell said the biggest mistake family and friends make can be waiting too long to seek help. If you are uncertain, act fast.<\/p>\n

To help patients and family members better understand where they should receive care, here are some guidelines.<\/p>\n

What is a freestanding ER and when should you seek help there?<\/strong><\/p>\n