5 Hours in the ER today

[bivenator]

C, not a dr but play one when asked.

[n8marx]

Speaking from experience, if one arrives at the ER (or the Urgent Care) with an 18 month old child and checks the "difficulty breathing/shortness of breath" box, MANY doctors and nurses materialize instantly.

[Rikao4]

true story..
yrs ago..as above..
difficulty breathing /shortness of breath..
we arrived to find our Pt..








hanging from a rope around his neck..
out of his 3rd story window..
or ..possible gunshot...


found this one sitting on the John..
his head splattered on the ceiling..

Rika

[GH85Carrera]

The doc in a box place near me is the same way, insurance or cash. There were no GOMERS at all. The only time I went there was for a few stitches. I was in and out in 45 minutes. It will have to be a real life threatening episode before I go to a hospital ER.

[glewis80SC]

The problem is too many people think the ER is the doctors office!! As a ff/medic is see it everyday, it is overloading the 911 and ER system. We are always going on "flu like symptoms" or "i've been sick for 5 days" and they think this is in need of a ambulance ride to the ER. Many also think that arriving my ambulance will get you to the front of the line, it is all based on severity!!
But with so many people and lawyer sue happy my dept. requires me to offer anyone with a medical complaint a ride the the hsp. Swollen and sore feet to a runny nose, we try to educate them on what 911 is really for, some listen many don't, they feel the ER is the fix all to their problems. Don't get me wrong I love going on true 911 calls and really helping someone in need that is what I got on the job for.
We had a 36 male having a full MI(heart attack) and had him treated and in the CATH lab to clear the blockage in under 60 minutes. We really were a part of the whole 911 system that saved his life that day and it was great.

[Schumi]

lewis-

brings into my mind again that.. If I had to do something else, I'd really like to be an EMT..

[Rikao4]

downside to this kind of work..
in order for you to have a great day..
someone is having a bad one..
I loved it....
well except for the little ones..
those will break you ...

my motto was..
you don't die on me...
what happens later ..
is in someone else's hands

Rika

[RWebb]

I'm sorry to hear that.

Good Luck!

One correction tho - rather than "drip blood on floor" I now try to lean over the counter so I can drip blood on their intake form. Stagger a little so they can't claim you are doing it on purpose.

[Hugh R]

Go to your local Urgent Care before you need it check that they take your medical insurance, and which doctors who do duty there take it. it's not uncommon for two docs in one place and one takes your insurance, and one doesn't.

[red-beard]

This is part of the reason for the posting, ideas for next time. We've located a "mini-ER", about 4 miles south of here, 1/2 way to the full Hospital ER. We're checking into several of these.

[TheMentat]

Originally Posted by competentone

If we get socialized medicine in this country, expect a wait of five hours to become five days!

why is that?