[Laneco]

The problem with the ER, as I see it, is that most of the people who are visiting the ER should not be there. Awfully simplistic isn't it? Here's what I mean.

We have two children who play sports, I race bicycles, we work on our cars on the weekend. All of these fun adventures happen OUTSIDE of normal Doctor working hours. That means when one of us gets a metal shaving in the eye, stabs a screwdriver through their hand, crashes the bike or is sick on a weekend (inevitable with kids...) that we are pretty well screwed when it comes to seeing a Doctor.

In the last couple of years, they have expanded the "urgent" care clinics here in Medford. This is very helpful for early evenings and on Saturday. They are closed on Sunday. Point is, that emergency rooms are for EMERGENCYS! They are not for follow up care, chronic illnesses, and minor injuries. If the ER's were saved for real emergencies, then the wait time would be shorter and the only people there are those in truly desperate need of attention.

Of course, the "urgent" care needs some work too.... I've gone there on weekends and had to wait 5 hours to see a doctor. One of those - can't wait until next Tuesday 3 day weekend, but really doesn't belong on the ER things.

angela