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<p>A billboard advertising emergency room wait times is seen along Interstate 64 near downtown Richmond, Va., Friday, Aug. 20, 2010. ER visits hit a new high of more than 123 million in 2008, up from 117 million a year earlier, says preliminary data released this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Online, via text message or flashing on a billboard, some emergency rooms are advertising how long the dreaded wait for care will be, with estimates updated every few minutes.</p>

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Check the wait times before heading to the ER
August 25, 2010 9 p.m.

Check the wait times before heading to the ER

WASHINGTON - Need an X-ray or stitches? Online, via text message or flashing on a billboard, some emergency rooms are advertising how long the dreaded wait for care will be, with estimates updated every few minutes.