Aurora Health Care
Educating the public on the proper use of an emergency department
Inappropriate use of the emergency department at Aurora Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee was clogging the department, delaying care for those with real emergencies and increasing health care costs for everyone. To help people understand the importance of appropriate use of the emergency department, Buzz Monkeys, Inc. developed a public service campaign that included posters, letters and other educational materials.
Informational meetings between hospital executives and community leaders were scheduled to help people understand the changes taking place and garner community support. The campaign, considered a success by Aurora management, resulted in a sharp decline in inappropriate emergency room use and a rise in primary care referrals.