The Rise of the Freestanding Emergency Room Industry in Texas

 

Freestanding emergency rooms are fully equipped to quickly and efficiently manage both minor and major emergency situations. They feature board certified emergency room doctors and nurses, as well as the latest technology in the industry, allowing patients to receive the level of care they deserve without the drawbacks associated with hospital ERs. Working with Xite Realty, LLC, the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) helps freestanding ER entrepreneurs and physicians develop their businesses successfully statewide and beyond.

Texas as the Freestanding ER Leader

The roots of the freestanding ER industry in Texas began to take a firm hold in 2007, when representatives approached the Texas Legislature to propose recognition and licensing for their fully equipped medical centers. The bill was passed in 2009, and the market hasn’t slowed since. According to a 2011 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the need for more freestanding emergency centers can be, at least in part, attributed to a decline in the number of hospital ERs combined with greater demand for care.

Regardless of the reason for the trend, it’s clear that the freestanding ER business is a lucrative one. Texas is home to more than 50 percent of all freestanding emergency rooms in the United States, with a list of around 200 locations that only continues to grow month by month. First Choice Emergency Room, the oldest and most prolific freestanding ER system in Texas and a member of TAFEC, currently has 61 locations in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Colorado Springs, and Denver. Like the vast majority of freestanding ERs today, it features digital x-rays, CT scans, ultrasound, and a certified full-service laboratory. It is the mission of TAFEC to support more facilities like these as part of an effort to expand, ultimately, into a national organization.

Learn More about TAFEC & FECs

As the industry continues to grow and evolve, TAFEC’s primary goal remains the same: Provide a network of support for FECs as they work to ensure that all Texas families have easy access to fast, reliable, high-quality emergency care. Xite Realty, LLC is proud to play a role in the continued success and growth of the freestanding ER business in Texas. Learn more about the Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers here.

To develop your emergency department or medical building, contact our team of medical brokers and healthcare developers.