10 Ways to Survive the ER
It's a new year and the the tough economic situation is affecting everyone including our local hospitals. Average wait times have jumped from 38 minutes to 57 minutes and hospitals have begun laying off staff.
Here are Ten simple ways to survive a visit to the emergency room. They do not apply to all situations so use your best judgment.
1. Call Your Own Doctor: Let him or her know you are on your way to the ER or are sitting in the waiting room. See if he or she can pull some strings to get you seen sooner.
2. Go Early: Waiting times increase throughout the day as people tend to put off going to the ER. Some studies show that 7:00 PM is twice as busy as 7:00 AM. Mondays are better than Fridays or weekends in terms of the quality of care.
3. Use the ER at the Hospital Where You Receive the Majority of Your Care: They will have access to your records, films and the doctors who may know you. If not, tell them where you normally treat so they can get your records.
4. Be Specific: Let the triage nurse know exactly how long, how severe and where your problem is. Now is no time to be shy about your complaints.
5. Bring a Friend: It helps to have someone there with you who can make calls, give a more specific history or advocate for you if you are left forgotten in the corner of the room.
6. Don't Bring the Kids: You have enough on your plate to have to watch your crazy kids running around. Get a friend or neighbor to help you out when possible. Besides, ERs are not the safest place for children.
7. Ambulances are Not Necessarily Faster: Nothing is worse than waiting for an ambulance or being strapped to a back board while the ambulance makes its way to the hospital. If you have someone who can safely drive you to the hospital, consider the option.
8. Bring your History: A typed list of your medications should be kept on you at all times. I recommend wearing an identification like ROAD ID, with drug allergies and blood types.
9. Speak to the Triage Nurse: Remind them you are waiting if you are not seen within 15 minutes.
10. Ask Before you Eat, Drink or use the Restroom: As this may delay medications, surgery or tests that need to be done for hours.
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