Seriously? The ER? For that?

[sangel4you]

I'm not saying it's not valid, and I'm not saying everyones situation isnt different, it is. I'm just saying there are a LOT of people out there who abuse the system and even some who abuse it so well they can get seen immediately for their minor problems by saying they can't breathe bc they know this will work- and viola! They're in! It'sjust amazing to me that people are that inconsiderate of others, to put their life infront of someone who may be deathly ill for the sniffles or a papercut. And I guess the other reason I have opinions different than most of you, is because I see it from the other side. Do you know what it's like to work in an ER and take care of 6 patients that come in with diarrhea, sore shoulders, or "oh my god I havent taken my birth control pill in two days- I need a shot RIGHT NOW"(not that those arent all important to those people but...), only to find out that your 7th patient who came in 5 hours ago with severe abdominal pain and has been waiting patiently and quietly while all these others were seen before him....only to find out his appendix has ruptured and he should have been in surgery hours ago and will probably become septic now and quite possibly die?! Makes you feel responsible even though you can't control who walks into that ER for something stupid anymore than anyone else can. This is my point...that's all.

 

[PunkerTechnoRoo?ter]

Im not a doctor but I bet the girl's tattoo hurt because it was infected.

 

[beak]

Quote:
Don't you have a triage nurse? I've been to the ER a couple times for myself in the last 50 years and with my wife a few times. They always have a triage nurse that sees you and figures out how urgent your need is.

 

[Emzyyy]

Did you see that elderly sick woman who walked into the ER and they made her wait for hours and finally she fell over and NO one helped her even the nurses they just looked over and walked by even the people sitting in the waiting room. I don't remb if she died or not they had a video of it.

 

[dragracer]

People definately abuse the ER, there are definately times the ER needs to be used (such as the diabetic ketoacidosis and anaphylactic reactions.) The person who comes to the ER because thier tooth hurts or a breathing tx because they can't afford their medication (yet the still manage to smoke 2-3pck/day) should not be abusing the ER. There are a lot of other people who need the ER. From my experience the people who abuse it are also the people who are too lazy to go out and look for help. Every state has medicaide and additional support (KS has healthwave), but you have to make an effort to find it. Many DR offices also except these forms of insurance (esp the one's who are with not for profit facilities)--you have to go find them or ask a social worker or case manager or call the city offices they can help. In Wichita we have the MD group who sponsers medical money for PT each month. They get an allowance for meds (plus a really good deal on them $4 for a $60 prescriptions the insured would pay), DME supplies, etc...

So yes uninsured who abuse facilities are the downfall of health care and social security (in my opinion). There are a ton of people who have worked just enough to get disability and the medicaide benifits because they can not work. I am amazed at how many people out there are on disability for small things that 50 years ago people would have worked through.

 

[agnes_day]

in oklahoma, there isnt any sort of health care assistance for adults, unless you are pregnant or on disability. there are clinics but they are almost impossible to utilize because of the vast numbers of people who cant afford health care.

 

[debilorrah]

Beak - it totally depends on the size of the hospital as to what services are available. triage nurses are usually only in larger hospitals. Our population here, in all cities, is around 300K and there is no triage nurse and any of the three hospitals here.

 

[beak]

Wow. I didn't know there was such a thing as an ER without a triage. What a waste of resources and bad care. Triage has been around since WWII.

 

[dragracer]

i couldn't imagine not having triage. A lot of people might not realize, but the nurse who checks you in (then go back to waiting room) is the triage nurse. She decides who gets called back when. On one of our campuses we have a group of rooms that staff open at noon and all the sniffles, tooth aches, i need my pain medicine b/c i used them all for the month, etc go there and are upgraded if needed.

 

[gabrielle1976]

I live in a small town with one little hospital and it has a triage nurse.