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Physicians Premier Emergency Room Are Redefining Emergency CareYu is also a faculty member at UT-Health/ Long School of Medicine, where he teaches medical students and fellow physicians.In 2009, PPER introduced the concept of the freestanding, independent emergency room. Unlike traditional ERs that are typically attached to large hospitals in densely populated areas, PPER’s facilities are strategically located in rural or underserved regions, or in areas where hospital ERs are overwhelmed by long wait times. These standalone emergency centers are equipped with multiple rooms and beds dedicated solely to emergency care and stabilization.The advantages of standalone ERs, especially in rural settings, are considerable. They enable patients to receive urgent care locally, avoiding long and costly trips to city hospitals and the overcrowded waiting rooms that often accompany them. Dr. Lonnie Schwirtlich, co-founder of PPER, highlights the importance of the “golden hour”—the critical first hour after arrival in an ER, which is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. Standalone ERs significantly improve the chances of treatment within this critical window.With over 36 years of experience, Dr. Schwirtlich, founder, and his PPERBW hen you think of an emergency room, images likely come to mind of vast parking lots, extended waits, and the echoing cries of discomfort and anxiety. These are common scenes in traditional emergency rooms where physicians battle to manage high patient volumes—often 120-150 daily— which strain both staff and resources, making efficient care challenging.Physicians Premier Emergency Room (PPER), with a location at 12314 Potranco Rd, Suite 102, San Antonio, TX 78253, and other locations across Texas, offers an innovative approach to emergency medical care. The team at PPER, aware of consistently poor patient feedback regarding long wait times, has been striving to improve service efficiency. Despite their best efforts, improvements were modest, achieving only a 3-5% increase in efficiency. This realization prompted a strategic shift to expand access to emergency services, addressing the issue of overcrowded ERs.Dr. GregoryYu, the Medical Director at the Potranco location, is committed to serving the local community in the Potranco/Alamo Ranch area. A Harvard-educated physician, board certified in both interventional pain management and emergency medicine, Dr.y Sally Kaloscolleagues—all board-certified in emergency medicine and part-owners of their locations—are passionate about ensuring equitable access to emergency medical services. This is particularly crucial in “critical access areas,” often rural communities without local hospital facilities, where even hearses are sometimes used to transport patients to distant medical centers. “We go where the need is,” states Dr. Schwirtlich, emphasizing the mission to serve underserved areas.The benefits of standalone ERs extend beyond mere proximity; they include faster patient processing, immediate availability of lab and X-ray results, quicker diagnoses, and more rapid commencement of treatment. If hospitalization is required, patients transferred from a standalone ER typically arrive in better condition, facilitating faster recovery than if they had traveled long distances initially.Dr. Gregory Yu and his team are dedicated to creating the most effective emergency healthcare system for the Alamo Ranch/ 151 communities, enhancing their overall health and well-being. By leveraging their extensive experience in emergency care, they have developed a model that prioritizes efficiency, ensuring that patients are seen, diagnosed, and treated swiftly. Through PPER, they are redefining emergency care, providing a practical, patient-centered alternative to traditional hospital-based ERs.For more information, visit:Physicians Premier Emergency Room 12314 Potranco Rd, Suite 102San Antonio, TX 78253(210) 981-3001 www.mdpremier.com/potranco-san-an- tonio-tx-emergency-room/EMERGENCY CARE CLOSER TO HOMEPHYSICIANS PREMIER ERPOTRANCO NOW OPENAt Physicians Premier ER, you'll find faster service, experienced, board certified doctors and a comfort level like no other. Our conveniently located, freestanding emergency rooms are fully-equipped and expertly-staffed so your family gets the best care closest to home. We're setting the new standard for emergency room care.mdpremier.comlrPReM1eR· POTRANCOJLPHYSICIANSJune 2024www.alamoranchhighlights.com9