E97 – Expanding Access, Expanding Influence: Leveraging FSEDs and Urgent Care to Capture Community Market Share
Freestanding Emergency Departments (FSEDs) play a pivotal role in enabling healthcare providers to capture market share in communities lacking established hospitals. This session will explore not only the strategic reasons organizations invest in FSEDs, but also the growing opportunity to integrate separate Urgent Care (UC) services within the FSED environment. By examining how collocated or partnered UC models can better support diverse patient populations, reduce unnecessary emergency utilization, and offer lower‑cost care alternatives, the discussion will highlight how this combined approach enhances both access and affordability.
Speakers will provide a comprehensive understanding of the efficiencies, operational advantages, and clinical effectiveness of FSEDs, both as standalone facilities and as part of a broader ecosystem that includes UC services. Through project examples, they will share insights into the planning and design process, key decision points, and unique operational partnership opportunities that emerge when UC and FSED functions are intentionally aligned. The session will also address challenges encountered along the way, offering practical lessons learned for organizations considering integrated or adjacent care models.

