Definition of an Emergency Service

Revised and approved by the ACEP Board of Directors January 1994 titled, "Definition of an Emergency Service"; and April 2009  

 Reaffirmed by the ACEP Board of Directors October 1998; and October 2002 

Originally approved by the ACEP Board of Directors titled, "Bona Fide Emergency Defined" October 1982 

An emergency service is any health care service provided to evaluate and/or treat any medical condition such that a prudent layperson possessing an average knowledge of medicine and health, believes that immediate unscheduled medical care is required.