The emergency room is not for sniffles.

Published on April 8, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

I'm faced with having to go to the ER again today. I still haven't got rid of this stone, and I'm running a fever...they told me if that happened I was supposed to go in, and because there's no clinic today, the ER is the only place to go.

Every time I go in there, I see people who really have no business being there. People who bring their kids in because they have runny noses. People who have hangnails that they want clipped because they are "bothering" them (don't laugh, that really happened). I've seen people bring their children in because they're "not feeling well" and commence to feed them Burger King in the waiting room whilst the child is running around like a dervish. Yeha, they're not feeling well alright.

The last time I was there I asked the doctor if that didn't bother him. He said that that kind of stuff was the bulk of their work...that if people like that would understand that that kind of stuff really could wait until the next duty day, the rest of us with a genuine need to be seen would have our wait time drastically reduced.

I feel bad for possibly having to go over there today....I feel like I'm not really an emergency case. However, when I talked to my doc yesterday, he said that if I got an infection on top of a stone, and left things too long....that I could lose a kidney.

I think that qualifies as 'emergent'.

Comments (Page 2)

Spc Nobody Special

on Apr 09, 2005

The family practice clinc will see people on a walk-in basis. Yes, you're going to have to wait, but it's a damn sight quicker than the ER.

Not here, at Ft. Hood, the TMCs and clinics are won't do walk-ins unless you're practically clutching at your breast with chest pains. The rule is if you're military, get sick between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., and not with anything more serious than the flu (say pneumonia for a mmm..hypothetical example) if you want more care than motrin and maybe quarters. If you're a spouse or dependent, try to get sick three days in advance, otherwise off to the emergency room.........

(although I gotta admit, once I made it past triage and x-ray, the care there was GREAT....)

ParaTed2k

on Apr 09, 2005

and yet we still have braindead Americans who want to adopt this kind of policy nationally. Military medicine is nothing more than "socialized" medicine and "socialized medicine" is an oxymoron! ;~D

Ted...you know I love you, so know that I say this with love: no name calling or insinuating on my thread, please. No-one gets to do that, not even the people I detest.

Putting my nose in a little circle in the corner for the next 15 minutes. ;~D

Myrrander

on Apr 10, 2005

I just have a problem with people deciding for theirselves who should go to the ER and who shouldn't. Just because you think somebody shouldn't have come in doesn't mean anything.

It's the worst kind of arrogance. If a sick person doesn't know anything other than the ER, then let them have that. I

When you're being self-centered about your ER visit, remember that every single person you see in there is just as focused on themselves because they are ill. If you have energy enough to make judgements on other patients, maybe YOU didn't belong in the ER.

dharmagrl

on Apr 10, 2005

just have a problem with people deciding for theirselves who should go to the ER and who shouldn't.

It's not just me Myrr. I'ts the nurses, and the doctors too. And as for being 'ill'...some of them are, and some of them aren't, but the ER is for EMERCENCIES, as the name suggests. It's not a walk in clinic, it's not for hangnails and runny noses. It's for conditions that, unless treated promptly, could result in loss of life, limb, or organ, or could permanently disfigure a person unless they are treated promptly.

You're really getting into this naysaying role, aren't you?

island_gurl12

on Apr 10, 2005

Hope you feeling better dharma...

shadesofgrey

on Apr 13, 2005

Hope you are feeling better, K. Kidney stones suck--I know from experience. It's not a pain I would wish on anyone!

Another lie from the left! Those medicaid and medicare cards used at the ER (and ambulance) work at any clinic that accepts them. The fact is any clinic that accepts medicaid and medicare must accept ANY patient, regardless of the ability to pay.

I find it is interesting that the two people in the medical field know this, but not a lot of other people do.

I agree with Myrrander--a lot of times if you are uninsured doctor's offices and clinics don't have "time" to see you--I'm saying this from experience. I had really bad insurance and I could never fit into the doctor's schedule--couple that with being a new patient in a new town, and what are my options? Now, I'm not saying that I would run to the emergency room with a runny nose--but when I had my first "kidney stone" episode, it was the emergency room, or wait three weeks for an appointment with a primary doctor--funny that once you have a referral from the ER, doctors will see you no problem. And, even if I had wanted to go to the walk-in clinic the hospital offered and sit around for hours to see a doctor--I could not go for four days (it was thanksgiving thursday and the clinic was closed until Monday).

Also, I think that if you've lived in the same place your whole life and you know the ins and outs of the system, you would be less likely to use the ER. In my home town, I probably could have convinced my doctor to do a house call late on a holiday --but in DC, it is hard to get the same treatment.

Also, people with the sniffles are not holding back your care. There are priorities in an emergency. Heart is first, but kidneys are pretty high up there--When I went in the second time for kidney problems (because it was late on a Sunday night and no office was open), I was seen immediately even though there was a waiting room full of patients who were all there first (that is when they determined I needed emergency surgery).

I'm not meaning to be the naysayer here, and if I hadn't lived in a bad health insurance situation, I probably would agree with you totally. I am sure that there are many people who simply abuse the system for a variety of reasons--they have low pain thresholds and the running nose is wrecking their head--who knows.

And just for the record--clinics and hospitals may have to treat anyone who can't afford to pay, but that doesn't mean they don't bill you. They will make "payment plans" that are often ridiculous and stretch the best budgets. Last year, I paid more than $10,000 in medical bills as a result of my surgery--and was constantly harassed by the hospital with "new bills" and higher monthly payments. I had to have a lawyer friend call them on my behalf to let them know that as long as I paid $1 a month to make good on my bills they could not report me to a credit agency. I was paying well over $600 a month--but it was still not the amount they wanted me to pay. So, yes, they have to treat you--but they don't have to do it cheaply and they still expect you to pay.

ParaTed2k

on Apr 13, 2005

When you're being self-centered about your ER visit, remember that every single person you see in there is just as focused on themselves because they are ill. If you have energy enough to make judgements on other patients, maybe YOU didn't belong in the ER.

And that is fine. It is when they start whining because the all important laws of "first come, first served" are not held inviolate by the triage nurse!

I have seen people with "sniffles" whining because people who are bleeding are seen before them. On the other hand, I've been forced to endure a whole lot of wimpering from patients who called an ambulance for something minor, thinking being brought in by ambulance will give them priority over everyone else.

Self centeredness is one thing, but expecting to be seen before "true emergencies" is rediculous!

Now, I'm not saying that I would run to the emergency room with a runny nose--but when I had my first "kidney stone" episode, it was the emergency room, or wait three weeks for an appointment with a primary doctor--funny that once you have a referral from the ER, doctors will see you no problem.

Not to worry, Shades. Kidney stones are a true emergency (yes, "true emergency is an actual medical term), and while as you point at, won't get you seen before a Cardiac patient, do warrant a trip to the ER.

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