Market Trends of United States Freestanding Emergency Department Industry
Hospital Affiliated is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share in the Ownership Type Segment
Hospital-based freestanding emergency departments are a new and evolving care delivery model. These departments across the country may be owned and run by a hospital (under the name "hospital outpatient department" or HOPD). FSEDs are equipped to provide a wide range of emergency medical services, including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, stabilization, and management of acute medical conditions and injuries. They may have advanced imaging capabilities, laboratory services, pharmacy services, and access to specialists for consultation or transfer as needed.
Factors such as hospital emergency department overcrowding, an increase in the number of trauma cases, and an increase in the prevalence of stroke and other neurological illnesses that require prompt attention are also contributing to the increase in segment growth.
The presence of a new FSED provides additional access points for emergency medical services in the community. This increased accessibility attracts patients who may prefer the convenience and proximity of the FSED for urgent care needs. Thus, the demand for FSED services is growing. For instance, in February 2024, HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, an affiliate of HCA Florida Healthcare, established a freestanding emergency room, HCA Florida Osceola East Emergency. The facility invests USD 15.5 million to offer emergency care for adults and children.
Thus, the overcrowding of hospitals, the increasing trauma cases in the country, and the growing utilization of these centers are expected to boost the segment growth over the forecast period.
Emergency Care and Other Services is Expected to Hold Significant Market Share in the Service Segment
Emergency care includes traumatic injuries, such as fractures, lacerations, and burns, acute medical conditions, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and seizures, respiratory emergencies, like asthma attacks and respiratory distress, and neurological emergencies, such as strokes and head injuries. Cardiac emergencies, including heart attacks and arrhythmias, abdominal emergencies, like appendicitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding. The other services include pediatric, obstetrics, critical care, and emergency treatment and procedures.
The growing number of accidental and sports injuries requiring immediate treatment is likely to contribute to the segment's growth. For instance, according to the Accident Statistics report updated by LegalMatch in August 2022, injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur roughly 150,000 times every year in the United States. Female basketball and soccer players had an ACL injury 2 to 8 times more frequently than other athletes. Therefore, the growing number of injuries increases the freestanding emergency care units, boosting the segment growth.
The growing burden of heart diseases requiring immediate attention is likely to boost the demand for FSED emergency care services. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report published in May 2023 predicts that 12.1 million people in the United States will have AFib by 2030. FSEDs are equipped to quickly assess and diagnose cardiac emergencies, such as heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), arrhythmias, and other cardiac conditions. This allows healthcare providers to detect changes or abnormalities in cardiac function and respond promptly with appropriate interventions, thus contributing to the segment growth.
