We took the kids to the ER for very high fevers (107F once, sounds impossible but that's what the therm read, she was immediately dunked in lukewarm water then rushed to ER - a bit complicated as we were in Florence - the bill was about $20). Also for lacerations that need stitching, suspected fractures. Obviously would go for difficulty breathing, non-responsive, etc.

For adults, I've only been to ER once, when I believed was having a heart attack (mistaken).

I've ony been for lacerations and dog bites on both hands the day before Christmas a number of years ago. They didn't suture dog bites so just bandaged me up and sent me home. I looked like a prize fighter on Xmas morning. All healed nicely, just a few scares. I tried to break up a dog fight and got the short end of the deal.

A related issue is, why aren't there more urgent care clinics? On Fri AM I was vainly searching OHSU website for any hint of an urgent care clinic.

My wife is a certified ER nurse, plenty of ICU, CCU experience, could start an IV on a hummingbird if it came right down to it I think. Mom is a retired anesthesiologist. Between them, something has to be pretty bad before I am going to saddle up for the ER.

I always tell my patients to call me if they think they need to go to the hospital. That way, I can assess them and see if they really need to go. If they do, I can do a direct admit and they don't sit in the ER all day.

Seems that you and Red-Beard are having "good" experiences in UC. I shattered my wrist and had to wait over 6 hours to see someone. I vowed never to go back to UC and I'd rather pay the extra money to have ER take care of me in an hour or less.

I've brought brought my wife (small cut she swore had her staring into the light) to the ER and she was in the back getting steri-strips applied within 15 minutes of getting there. Same thing when I had to bring one of my kids in as well.

I find our ER much quicker and more responsive than the UC.

people I knew or friends never waited..
all those GOMERS..well those are a different species..
best to view them from afar a bit first..

a good ER will go into overdrive lickety split..
that cold your complaining about..
makes them angry & you wait..

Rika

Unfortunately this is true is some respect they aren't all illegal, there is a large group out there that feel going to the ER is the universal fix all for everything, drunk in public, homeless, or just sick.
I had a kidney stone a couple years ago while on duty, I had the guys take me to the ER then it would have to be something that bad for me to go again. Severe chest pain, ALOC, GSW, broken bone etc.