Advertising and Publicity of Emergency Medical Care

Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors October 2007
This policy, "Advertising and Publicity of Emergency Medical Care", replaces the rescinded policy, "Positive Promotions" rescinded October 2007
Approved by the ACEP Board of Directors 2000, titled, "Advertising and Publicity of Emergency Medical Care," replacing "Physician Advertising"
Approved by the ACEP Board of Directors June 1984
 

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) believes:

• Emergency physicians, emergency medicine groups and health institutions may publicize themselves through any commercial media or other form of public communication provided that the information is true and accurate and in no way deceptive or misleading.
• Advertising and publicity should be designed in a manner that is readily comprehensible to the general public since the public can sometimes be deceived by the use of medical terms or illustrations that are difficult to understand.
• Claims regarding experience, competence, quality, or unique qualifications or resources may be made only if they are factually supportable.
• Physicians, other health care providers, and health care facilities should emphasize in advertising their own positive attributes rather than denigrate the capabilities of other providers or facilities.