Beech Tree News Network

Like many of you, I have visited an emergency room a time or two. Those who provide medical assistance – EMS, ER staff and physicians, hospitals, clinics, physicians, support staff – make our lives safer by providing care when needed. Some of my online reading mentioned that some people abuse the purpose of ER services and that insurance companies attempt to steer people away from using the ER. Personally, I am very thankful for their services and care.

In an Internet article entitled “20 Surprising Facts about Emergency Rooms,” three interesting facts mentioned were:

• Overall, patients spend an average of 3.2 hours on each visit to an emergency room.
• The average wait time to see a doctor in an emergency room is 46 minutes. In 2007, 18% of patients were seen in 15 minutes or less.
• Residents of the District of Columbia visit the emergency room more than residents of any state. Among the states, people in West Virginia visit the emergency room the most, and people in California visit it the least (https://www.paramedictorn.org/20-surprising-facts-about-emergency-rooms....).

On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm), the following data is provided regarding Emergency Department visits in 2015:

·         Number of visits: 136.9 million

·         Number of injury-related visits: 39.0 million

·         Number of visits per 100 persons: 43.3

·         Number of emergency department visits resulting in hospital admission: 12.3 million

·         Number of emergency department visits resulting in admission to critical care unit: 1.5 million

·         Percent of visits with patient seen in fewer than 15 minutes: 35.4%

·         Percent of visits resulting in hospital admission: 9.0%

·         Percent of visits resulting in transfer to a different (psychiatric or other) hospital: 2.2%

I asked my friends and family members, “If you have ever gone to an ER, what was the reason for your most recent visit?” One responder had never been an ER patient. The other responses were:

·         The only times I have ever been to ER were for a car accident and once for a severe UTI.

·         Cough syncope.

·         Allergic reaction to a sting.

·         Yes, multiple times, taking my wife stuff she left at home – she works at the ER! Also, taking the kids because they’re sick or hurt.

·         Strained shoulder and elbow.

·         Chest pains and shortness of breath.

·         Chest pains and panic attack was the most recent visit. Before that was for my gallbladder which ended in an emergency removal.

·         The only times we have been is when I cut my finger off at work and when my daughter had her wreck.

·         I have only been for the kids really. My son has caused me to go many times: broken arm, dislocated shoulder, stitches a few times. I dislike going and try to avoid it as much as possible.

·         I took a tumble down stairs, resulting in a broken ankle. No fun!

·         Falling over a ukulele box resulted in getting forehead stitches.

·         I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve only had one ER visit for myself and that was more than 30 years ago. I have made several trips with my mom over the years. It’s always a little scary.

·         I’ve gone twice in the past year, both times for my daughter. Her body doesn’t produce cortisol, so something as simple as a stomach virus sends us for an IV. I’m so thankful for modern medicine!

These responses all sound like valid reasons for using ER services. I know most people don’t want to go to the ER, but sometimes we should be thankful for the service and use it.

As Magic Johnson said, “No one plans to get sick or hurt - I certainly didn't - but most people will need medical care at some point in their lives” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/medical_care). Words of wisdom! When I am sick or hurt, our local health care providers are my first choice.