How long would you wait?

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by bren

I know of someone who went into the ER because he was having chest pain and they took so long to take him that he passed away right in the ER! His wife kept telling everyone that someone needs to help him but they were so busy. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IMO!!!

Bren, it is very sad that this happens. Same thing happened in our area last year. This past April, knowing how bad the ER situation is I refused to go to it, and waited till my Dr. was able to see me in his office then immediately was admitted stat in surgery out patient by my Doctor I use to work in the medical field and within the hospital, there is much of non emergencies such as Magnolia posted.

Magnolia, two years ago when I fell and broke my wrist, hours after my waiting; a lady with her son had been seen in the Emergency Room, he had a broken arm and there was no Orthopedic on call to take care of it, so she left and had to drive him to Los Angels. When she was leaving she told me that I might as well head to Los Angeles. I then inquired and was told that if I had a fracture that no Orthopedic was available and that the ER Dr. wouldn't be able to set it. I made the decision to go home, I was able to get in to see orthopedic first thing the next morning, was then put in cast. By the way, we got a bill from the hospital for little over $100.00 because I was triaged. Nothing done just triaged and filling out the paper work, oh yes during the triage, they did take my blood pressure and temp. I inquired regarding this charge at the other hospitals and was told, once one is triaged you get a bill regardless whether your seen or not. We wonder if living in smaller communities if the care is better?

[magnolia]

Originally Posted by Baby Blessing

By the way, we got a bill from the hospital for little over $100.00 because I was triaged. Nothing done just triaged and filling out the paper work, oh yes during the triage, they did take my blood pressure and temp. I inquired regarding this charge at the other hospitals and was told, once one is triaged you get a bill regardless whether your seen or not. We wonder if living in smaller communities if the care is better?

Patti,

Unfortunately, yes, if you are treated in any manner (i.e. blood pressure taken, temp taken, etc. in the triage room), then yes a bill is generated It is sad that a person gets a bill for services they feel they did not receive. As for better care in smaller communities, not sure how big the area is you live in but I live in a town that has a population of less than 40,000 people. Our hospital received a level 2 ranking for trauma about 4 years ago, level 1 being the highest, so we do have a decent facility here but...there is only 1. Before our new hospital was built 4 years ago, there were 2 operating hospitals in our community with 2 ER's - which meant if one ER was full, people could drive 4 miles and be at the other one. The wait was not near as long when there were 2 ER's here. But I'm getting off track (I do that occassionally..lol!!). I don't think size of community matters as to the care one receives from a physician or facility. I feel it has everything to do with how that physician feels about his job and that nurse, and that clerk, and so on. There are physicians here where I live that I would NEVER go see because of their bedside manner, reputation, etc. Just as there are some nurses here that I would refuse to have take my child's temperature. But I find if a physician, nurse, clerk, whomever, truly loves his/her job and is compassionate towards others, they are going to provide the best care they possibly can but sometimes, situations become stressful, they get stressed because of it and it shows in their performance and to some who may not otherwise know that they are great, just merely having a bad day, they may think they aren't providing the best of care.

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by magnolia

I don't think size of community matters as to the care one receives from a physician or facility

We only have two hospitals, which cover area of 300,000 within the two small cities plus communites in the outlying areas. The larger hospital, so much of it closed because of lack of retro fitting to bring it up to the earthquake codes and standards that are now required. It is also the only hospital that has Pediatric and OB services, it has been awhile since I have attended any of the board meetings but I recall the last time I attended one, there were Physicians that spoke on the agenda and bought up the issue being contracted with the hospital, too many times not being paid for their services. When people don't have insurance then the hospital doesn't see that those specialists are paid. I am sorry to say that I have not been able to attend recent meetings, but in the past have signed up to be on the agenda and have spoken many times of my concerns, and also have given my praise and thanks to those dedicated in caring for the ill. However, with Jack now progressing with the Parkinsons I am just not able to attend the board meetings anymore. If anyone hasn't attended one, I would suggest doing so, they are very informative and it is a place to go to voice ones concerns and I might add very important to do so. Thanks Magnolia for your input, your having been a supervisor in the ER you can know what my concerns are. I was asked to work in the ER before my retirement but couldn't do it, it was so depressing seeing those that came in so ill. I could never be a nurse, and we have two daughters that are dedicated Reg.Nurses By the way I am still trying to find word on RJ thank you for your continued prayers for him. Patti

[bren]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

Regarding the emergency room waits, I have a niece who used to take her kids to the emergency room for everything...cough, sore throat, low to moderate fever, .... things that were NOT emergencies. She told me that because of her insurance or medicare or whatever she had, it cost her less to go to the emergency room than a Dr. office. I don't know if this is still true or if it is really prevalent, but if so, it is really sad. It is not fair to people who have a true emergency to have to wait for someone there for people who should be in a Dr. office.

I don't know about different types of insurance but my co-pay for an ER visit is about 4 times higher than if I go see my pcp so I don't go to the ER unless it is absolutely necessary, but I have really good health insurance. It seems like some policies that aren't as good don't cover or only cover a portion of yearly check-ups, or doctor/specialist visits but cover a higher percentage of an ER visit or hospital stay.

[KKandie]

i would have probably waited outside or in my vehicle.

[Tiggerwit]

Funny you ask this. We waited 45 mins in the exam room before the doc showed up. If I hadn't been so anxious about all my daughters blood test results, I would have left.