7 Things ER Doctors Want You to Know
Written by: Melissa Fiorenza
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For most of us, it’s a place we’d like to avoid forever, a place we dread having to wait in, and perhaps the one healthcare site that still kind of confuses us. The emergency room. High-intensity hives of nonstop physical activity and emotions.
But here we are every year: On average, roughly 130 million visits to the ER are made annually in the United States, according to the CDC.
Ever wondered if any of your past (or future) ER visits are avoidable? Or why it can take so long to be seen—and if you really do need to go?
We asked ER physicians what they want everyone to know about their line of work.
1. Consider alternative centers for care.
The ER is intended for life-threatening emergencies, says Elizabeth Clayborne, MD, MA, an ER physician in Maryland and CEO/founder of NasaClip. “An ER is equipped for immediate, life-saving measures and will prioritize those patients over others. That doesn’t mean that broken bones or high fevers are not urgent. But those cases will get quicker attention at urgent care centers.”
2. ER visits can be expensive.
Another reason to consider elsewhere? Cost. “Given that the emergency room is designed for the most critical cases, the cost of care at the ER is priced at a premium, even for those with health insurance,” explains Dr. Claybourne. So if your case isn’t life-threatening, call your doctor, visit a clinic, or head to an urgent care center for more affordable care.
3. Be prepared to wait.
If there’s one thing you probably already know about the ER, even if you’ve never been, it’s this: There’s a good chance you won’t be seen immediately. But rather than get frustrated, understand why. “Staff have a number of pressures on them to ensure that they see everyone in a timely manner, but also that they see the most critical cases first.” That said, she adds, some people wait in the ER for long periods of time for care that they can get elsewhere. Take chronic nosebleeds, for example. “Many times, a chronic nosebleed can be tackled at home if you have the right tools and know-how,” she says. “Having tools like NasaClip, an adjustable, hands-free nosebleed rescue device, can stop a nosebleed at home and prevent the time and cost of having it handled in an ER.”
4. Be patient with the physicians and staff.
“They are working long hours with multiple pressures. And like many occupations, they are short-staffed,” says Dr. Clayborne. “Please be mindful of the pressure they are under. They are doing their best to provide the best care possible to everyone who comes in the door.”
5. Don’t ignore dangerous symptoms.
According to Dr. Scott Braunstein, medical director at Sollis Health in Los Angeles, there are a few conditions that are truly time sensitive, and the strategy of trying to "wait them out" can have devastating consequences. “The most dangerous symptoms to ignore are chest pain or new neurologic symptoms,” he advises. “Chest discomfort can be caused by a blockage of your coronary artery, and the longer you wait to open up the blockage, the more heart tissue can be permanently damaged.” Think your chest discomfort is just acid reflux or gas? Be evaluated by a medical professional, just in case. “Similarly, we now have highly potent, clot-busting medications that can be given to open up blocked arteries in your brain,” he adds, “but these can only be safely given within 4.5 hours of the onset of your symptoms.” His advice: Seek immediate medical attention if you develop any neurologic changes, such as visual loss, unsteady gait, weakness, numbness, or even tingling of the skin.
6. Wear a helmet.
Yup, as simple as that. “I cannot tell you how many preventable concussions and other traumatic brain injuries that we see in people who could have protected themselves by simply wearing a helmet,” shares Dr. Braunstein. “This is true whether you are riding an old-fashioned bike, a motorized bike, a hoverboard or one wheel, a skateboard, roller blades, or any device where you are at risk of head trauma should you fall.” He further explains that trauma to the brain can lead to a multitude of unwanted symptoms. Things like memory impairment, dizziness, chronic headaches, difficulty concentrating, and mood disturbances. “These can most often be avoided with the simple prevention of wearing a helmet.”
7. See your doctor (at least) once a year.
Another way to drastically reduce your chances of needing an ER visit is: Get your annual physical exam. “There is no better screening tool for detecting early disease than a thorough history and physical exam taken by an experienced primary care provider,” says Dr. Braunstein. Inform your doctor about medications, allergies, past medical history, unhealthy habits or vices, and your family's medical history. This, he says, will allow your doctor to individualize your testing and care, and to screen for the diseases you are most at risk for developing. Your doctor will also keep you up-to-date on vaccinations and recommended screening tests for cancer or heart disease, which are the two leading causes of mortality in the U.S. “The best ER visit is no visit at all,” he says, “and making sure not to skip your annual physical is a great way to avoid the ER altogether.”
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