b'Large data sets note the considerable rise in community utilization of the ED in health care systems, and an increasing use by high-focus populations. For example, in 2018, there were 40.4 ED visits annually for every 100 persons in an average community. However, for the Medicare population, every 100 persons yielded 45 ED visits each year. 6Furthermore, from 2011-2017, the number of Medicare patients presenting to emergency departments increased by 14%. During the same time period the number of Medicare patients presenting to physician offices increased by only 4%. 7From every angle, the EDs role, responsibility, and function in the health care community was becoming increasingly vital. The EDs Current Strengths & Unique Vantage Point As the EDs role continues to evolve, hospital leaders are well-advisedto optimize the value of significant patient-motivated contact, concentratedin a focal hub with few barriers to access. To be relevant, further evolutionmust address the billions of dollars lost in inefficiencies and sub-optimaloutcomes in our health care system. The ED has a good foundation to date.Why will it continue?The EDs vantage point stands out for four core reasons:Access & trust. The ED has access to a high volume of patients and a large number of sick, high-focus patients.In the U.S., ~4,500 emergency departments see approximately 150 million patient visits in the U.S. each year, and 70-80% of hospital admissions are intermediate and complex conditions. 6,8These patients voluntarily arriveat the EDs doorstep wanting to receive care, and in general, trusting the clinicians they see to provide it. High touch interface. The ED frequently interacts with nearly every other part of the health care system,including the other departments within the hospital they serve, as well as outpatient clinics, primary carephysicians, specialists, social workers, and payors. Care initiation & pathway designation. The patient journey - or its current chapter - often begins in the ED. With good clinical decisions, the patient is stabilized and just as importantly, sent down an accurately chosen,cost-effective pathway. Getting this right and making it happen avoids inefficiencies, poor outcomes, wastedresources, and frustration.Used by all payors. Since the hospital is essentially required to have an ED, all payors rely on it for their patients.And, with the passage of the No Surprises Act in the waning days of 2020, additional provisions will exist to ensurethat payors and providers come to agreement over the terms of those engagements.To summarize, emergency departments see a high volume of patients, regularly interact with a high volume of very sick patients, and interface with nearly every other part of the health care system.Together, we healTogether, we heal 465Together, we heal SCP HEALTHIFROM INSIGHTS TO INTERVENTIONS'