A fireplace. Cable TV. Private rooms. ERs in the Twin Cities aren't what they used to be.

[Pioneer Press, April 20, 2011] As a new generation of emergency rooms opens across the east metro, patients are finding amenities that might remind them more of hotels than hospitals. At United Hospital, there's a fireplace in the lobby, art on the walls and a commitment to publish waiting times on a website — sort of the equivalent to illuminating a "vacancy" sign. "It's definitely nicer than it was," said Dr. Nathan Anderson, medical director for the emergency department at United Hospital. "This is the front door to health care for many in our community." Read the story at twincities.com.