Answer all questions truthfully and be forthcoming with information so the staff can do their best to get a diagnosis quickly and accurately. Head to the ER if there is blood in the vomit, significant stomach pain, or dark green bilious vomit which could suggest bowel obstruction. If youre in a bad place, youll probably want to take a vacation in the worst possible time. } ); (Knowwhat doctors secretly wish they could tell you.). The hospital staff will be able to do a better job of saving your life than you could do at home. If a person or unborn baby could die or be permanently disabled, it is an emergency. Head to the ER always, recommends Stanton. When youre faced with the decision of where to seek care, its best to be prepared so youre not panicked in a crisis. By going to a hospital during the daytime, your chances of receiving treatment are very high. What gives?! Wayne Gravell, PA, CEO/President of ImperativeCare, Inc. comments, "We take every patient seriously and we will take you seriously too when we get to your chart in the rack.". Would love your thoughts, please comment. Head to the ER if what's supposed to be on the inside is on the outside, or what's supposed to be on the outside is on the inside, says Stanton. Copyright 1997-2023, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Hospitals can also shift the schedule of elective admissions to free up beds and hospital staff for admissions from the emergency room. Nearly 30 percent of patients coast to coast wait more than four hoursfour hours!! When Is the Worst Time to Go to the Hospital? When ER staff first asks for the reason for your visit, be prepared with about three sentences to explain what's going on. From 3 a.m. until 9 a.m., we're the slowest. Copyright 2023 All your info about health and medicine | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. 10 hours from 10pm to 8am. What kind of technology is used in hospitals? For three hours, you wait. According to a study by the Center for Disease Control, out of the 145.6 million annual ER visits throughout the U.S., only about 12.6 million usually result in admission to the hospital. Youll also want to avoid going to the hospital in the evening or at night when there are fewer patients to see. www.acep.org/globalassets/sites/acep/media/advocacy/value-of-em/urgent-emergent-care.pdf, www.consumerreports.org/health-clinics/urgent-care-or-walk-in-health-clinic, Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion, Injury to neck or spine, particularly if there is loss of feeling or inability to move, Unusual or bad headache, particularly if it started suddenly, Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move, Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body, Dizziness or weakness that does not go away, Possible broken bone, loss of movement, particularly if the bone is pushing through the skin, Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives, High fever that does not get better with medicine, Throwing up or loose stools that does not stop, Common illnesses, such as colds, the flu, earaches, sore throats, migraines, low-grade fevers, and limited rashes, Minor injuries, such as sprains, back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, or minor eye injuries. If your problem is not life threatening or risking disability, but you are concerned and you cannot see your provider soon enough, go to an urgent care clinic. About 15% visited the ER because their regular doctor's office wasn't open and about 5% simply didn't have access to another medical provider. } Kelly Hernandez is a health and wellness writer and certified personal trainer. The reality is your ER staff has seen it all. We have patients presenting with COVID-19-like symptoms. A study conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that hospitalists see 26 patients per hour on average, and some see as many as 54. The two most common causes are physical trauma and stroke, both of which are serious and require medical attention. Since honesty is all the emergency room staff asks for when trying to diagnose you, you'll need to reveal it all. Scary story: This May, 18 Fredericton ER doctors, supported by physician assistants, spoke out about the scary state of affairs: People lined up in hallways, 20-hour wait times, and as for the most urgent emergencies, its an average of two hours till theyre in triage. Chances are, your ER staff has seen it before and you're not the first one to walk in for treatment. } else { If youre suffering from a medical emergency, youll want to be seen as soon as possible. ", If your situation isn't an emergency, such as a simple cold that's lasted a few days, don't come to the ER. Larry Burchett, M.D., ER physician, says "Tell your doctor not only what your symptom is, but why it brought you to the ER. If youre in the worst place possible to be sick, youll be able to get the best treatment possible from the hospital. Head to the ER if you are experiencing chest pain along with shortness of breath, decreased activity tolerance, sweating, or pain that radiates to the neck, jaw, or armsespecially if your age or family history puts you at a higher risk for heart attacks. I teach my residents and medical students to take a breath and see clearly what the story is at that very instant so I take my own advice, change out of my wet clothes, scoop some chili into a bowl and punch buttons on the microwave. But I expect the yearly challenge, and I know how to get through it. When it comes to the worst time to go to a hospital, its usually either in the middle of the night or at the very end of the day. Finally, you are taking up time and resources that could be better used by those who truly require emergency care. There is no hard and fast rule as to when to seek emergency medical services; however, there are some situations where the emergency room is the appropriate place to go. Even if your ER nurse seems cool, calm, and collected, he or she may have just witnessed a horrible event. Midway through the yearlong marathon of medical education, we feel trapped at work by shortened days. If you can, bring your medication bottles with you to the ER, take pictures of them, or jot down notes with names and doses to give to staff when you get there. You don't want to overact, but you definitely don't want to underreact either. We have patients with major emergencies such as stroke, heart attack and traumatic injury. "Shortness of breath is one of the most common emergency department presentations," says Stanton. Most concerning to Stanton are "fevers in kids with lethargy, fevers in adults with altered mental status, and fevers with headache and neck pain.". Emergency care, urgent care - what's the difference? While medical professionals want you to be educated about your symptoms and prepared for potential diagnosis, they also want to be sure you understand that Google and medical websites are not the end-all be-all medical resources. So how do you know when that stomach pain needs to be treated ASAP or if that numb feeling can wait until morning to deal with? UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. Usually, vomiting can be managed with home care and a check-in with your primary care doctor. By scheduling more elective operations later in the week, the hospital has been able to ease overcrowding. With so much chaos going on around them, simple niceties are appreciated by the emergency room staff. "These may suggest a more sinister infection or may just need a little emergency room TLC, such as medications to help with symptom management, fluids, or possibly antibiotics, to turn the corner.". It can be a real challenge to silo those emotions and walk into each new room as if nothing is wrong. "If you are unable to keep anything down, you will need to get medication or treatments to help you stay hydrated," explains Stanton. Kids are sick, clinics struggle and hospitals overflow with patients in the emergency room. Blue appearance to the skin, or pale or yellow skin, Nostrils moving outward when breathing in, Visible ribs or collarbone when breathing in, Broken bone; open wound; or numb, tingling feeling, Took medication not prescribed to the child. All doctors must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency training before becoming board certified in their fields. For most people, a bee sting will cause a minor skin irritation, but if youre allergic you might go into anaphylactic shock then you need immediate attention at an ER. Scary story: In Quebec, the emergency physician shortage is so great that some hospitals report having dozens of shifts with zerothats right, ZERO!doctors on duty. Midday is the best time to go to the urgent care You can't control when you get sick or injured, but if you can, try to head to urgent care late morning or early afternoon. Otherwise, it could be a long wait until you have to go again and can get the test done. When you wake up in the middle of the night with an alarming symptommaybe it's a high fever or splitting headacheit's hard to know whether to rush to the emergency Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Tore a muscle in my arm - told this to the person/nurse checking me in. 6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e. Two weeks in, 2023s news is bad and here in California, its cold and its damp. This is because many people do not feel comfortable calling for an appointment with a primary care physician on either Sunday or Monday, so they go to the emergency room instead. 10 Symptoms That Warrant A Trip To The ER, 8 Signs of a Blood Clot You Should Never Ignore, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Consumed a toxic substance or overdosed on a medication or drug, Had a severe allergic reaction and are have trouble breathing, swelling, or hives. Thats a hard question to answer. Mondays are often very busy, but sometimes (for no discernible reason), Monday will be less busy than usual, and He has an impressive educational background with degrees from Harvard University Medical School and Yale Law School. If you have any questions or concerns about emergency care, please feel free to contact us at any time. There is an optimal balance that is different for each hospital. Ideal nurse-to-patient ratios, for example, can vary depending on the patient populations served. Is your hospital gown removed during surgery? We examine patients in waiting rooms, hallways and temporary treatment areas (tents, parking lots and lobbies) because patients who should be upstairs in the hospital are in our department for days. The hospital is required by law to give you a bill. Still others report lower numbers. 2023 The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Whether it's a knife accident chopping veggies for dinner or a misstep off the deck stairs, many cuts, bumps, and bruises can be handled at home with ice or a home first aid kit supplies. advice every day. Its time to work my way back to the promise of spring, a moment at a time. Well, there's a lot going on behind the closed double doors of the emergency room. These patterns are as individualized as fingerprints, said Dr. Matthew Davis, an associate professor of pediatrics, internal medicine and public policy at the University of Michigan and senior author of the study, published in the journal Medical Care. Doctors may be intimidating, but they want to be sure you're clear on your diagnosis and how to take care of yourself if you're not being admitted to the hospital. According to Dr. Leora Horwitz, M.D. ", Early morning hours, such as 3 or 4 a.m., are known for being the least busy in most hospital emergency rooms. An action plan can help inform family and friends what to do during a seizure and when it's an emergency. "Come early in the morning if you have a choice." Read this.) Every emergency department has its own unique web of problems that extend average wait times, from dated technology to volume of patients and the care they need in any given area. Nada. The patient should arrive at the earliest possible appointment time. What are the busiest times for emergency rooms? "Blood in the urine is usually caused by some kind of infection such as a urinary tract or kidney infection or kidney stones," says Stanton. What should be considered for a patient with an emergency? Use the pain range scale truthfully so the ER staff can get better insight on where you truly hurt and where you're only feeling discomfort. One is simply your primary care physician, who can now often be reached quickly through patient portals and telemedicine. He or she will be happy to oblige and gather as much personal information as possible to help you. "The more severe infections are sepsis (infection throughout the body), pneumonia, meningitis, and infections in people who have weakened immune systems," says Stanton. "Young children can become dehydrated rather quickly, but most healthy adults can go several days before significant dehydration becomes an issue.". Arrive with your health card and ID in hand and write down the name of your family doctor, relevant specialists, a list of your medications and any questions you have. You may also ask for any toiletries that you need, such as a toothbrush, or a snack if you're hungry. If you are in the waiting area and begin to vomit profusely, you will be moved more quickly into a room.". It's frustrating for emergency room staff to see the waiting room filled with cold sufferers because it uses up resources. A headache is also worrisome if it is accompanied by a fever, neck pain, or stiffness and a rash, which could signal meningitis. Doctors say it is important for patients to understand that not all hospitals are created equal and some are better than others for dealing with minor injuries or illnesses. The vast majority of infections are viral, which means they won't respond to antibiotics and can be treated at home with over-the-counter symptom management until the virus passes. But one of the main issues is the fact that Canada suffers from a significant shortage of medical professionals, with a scant 2.7 physicians for every 1,000 people (a number that ranks us 29th out of 33 developed countries). We recommend our users to update the browser, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). According to Anthony Kouri, M.D., Orthopedic Surgery, University of Toledo Medical Center, "If you bring a child to be treated at a hospital that has no pediatric care, you will waste a lot of time and a lot of money. Abcarian: Did Donald Trump rape, then defame a well known advice columnist? Were still careening toward climate disaster, Column: The heart that Angela Bassett brings to Wakanda Forever transcends the genre, Editorial: Reckoning with UCSFs dark history of unethical medical experiments on inmates. Emergency room staff wants you to leave the hospital understanding your treatment plan and the next steps. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to Dr. Michtalik, the range stretched from the early teens to the mid-20s, with a few outliers. We spoke to Ryan Stanton, MD, a board-certified emergency physician and spokesman for the American College of Emergency Physicians to find out. In some cases, doing too much research on the Internet before going to the ER can do more harm than good. It wasnt even noon yet, and the emergency room already had gurneys crammed into every Likelihood of waiting 4+ hours for care: 28.2%. Friday and Saturdays late afternoon and night are the worse times in the US. Doctors offices are closing (closed) and the usual Friday and Saturday Understanding these vulnerabilities in a hospital system can pay very big dividends, said Dr. Peter L. Schilling, lead author of the study and a resident in orthopedic surgery at the University of Michigan. For example, it only included one group of hospitalists who work at the university's hospital system. One visitor is permitted in the emergency department, dependent on available accommodations. If you don't seem to be experiencing much pain and you ask for a specific prescription drug by name within the first five minutes of your visit, it's a red flag that you don't really have an emergency. Typically, a fever of 100.3 degrees or higher for infants under 3 months, or 105 degrees or higher for babies 3 months and older after Tylenol or ibuprofen is taken can be worrisome. What are the visiting hours at Hartford Hospital? Emergency departments are crowded, and patients might want to consider alternative care options such as urgent care centers. They're taking into account your condition and the treatment plan they feel you need to follow when deciding whether or not to admit you into hospital care. That way if something has happened to them, they aren't using slang or other terms that only your family might understand.". 's editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. If you go to the hospital for a heart attack, youll have a much better experience. The best time to go to the hospital for an emergency is in the early morning when there arent too many patients waiting to get in. Lifesaving treatment can begin before arriving in the ER.". True emergencies are not planned. They just happen. Most people don't wake up and plan an emergency. I understand that there are times when care ca But UAB also offers several alternative care options for those conditions or illnesses that, while serious, may not require the services of an emergency department. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Because of these findings, the University of Michigan health care system has taken steps to address its own threshold, increasing weekend staffing of nurses, physicians and other health care services and creating a new 20-bed observation area in the emergency department. She was not exaggerating. When you have a headache, its important to be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible. You may not be open to listening to the true medical experts when they explain your treatment options. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Youre also more likely to receive help if the hospital you visit is the closest one to you. WebAnswer (1 of 9): Still subject to luck, but I would bet on Sunday 810 AM, just after new shift. "Any time you have a concern or emergency, it's always better to get checked than to wait until the problem escalates," recommends Stanton. If youre sick and want to go to the hospital for treatment, youll want to avoid going to the hospital in the worst place possible. If you can safely wait out your symptoms until your doctor's office opens the next day, skip your visit to the ER. 1000-LB. ER staff, including the department clerks, doctors and nurses, have no way of knowing what your insurance covers or what you'll be responsible for financially during your visit. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-53563316-1&cid=e53f5165-10b1-4d29-9178-f8604528f8e1&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=8154173725822764564'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); Did it come on suddenly like you were struck by lightning or hit in the head with a hammer?" Then: nothing. Wait When to Avoid the ER and When to Go. Larger hospitals usually have more resources available, which can help them care for people who need specialized treatment. We Canadians may be notoriously polite, but as emergency room patients, our patience is running outat least it should be. Other things that you should avoid heading to the ER for: ear infections, minor allergic reactions, toothaches, back pain and minor headache. limited or unavailable. While this would reduce patient waiting times, it could also lead to more people going to the emergency room instead. If you say "11" or "125," you're not helping them to learn more about what you're feeling. If you have a little blood with no other symptoms, make an appointment to talk with your doctor. They also need to know if the pain seems to be getting worse, getting better, or changing into a different feeling. Many ER visitors stuck in the waiting room may blame their long wait time on uninsured visitors who take advantage of the hospital for routine medical treatments or painkillers. day, 2022 Galvanized Media. ), Likelihood of waiting 4+ hours for care: 51.2%. Trouble breathing. Make sure the doctor understands both the what and the why.". The concern then is not with the fever itself, but with what infection is causing the fever. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. According to the CDC, "The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. This helpful service isnt offered everywhere, but we found helpful sites for. Another is UAB Medicines Urgent Care Clinic in Southside.. "There is a shift change (typically at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.) where the physicians and nursing personnel change," Dr. Mudgil adds. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Mass storm outages bring misery across California, exposing power grids vulnerabilities, Drenched Californians get an extra month to file tax returns. URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. The best time to go to urgent care is when youre suffering from an emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke. With heart attacks as the number one killer for both American men and women, it's no surprise that sudden chest pain can be scary and is one of the leading causes of emergency room visits for adults. URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm. The truth is that even in emergencies, you seldom need to go as fast as you think you do. We have several options that patients can use outside of the emergency room that may be appropriate for some medical issues, Edwards said. Im not the only one, I know. It's better to go straight to the emergency room (ER) in situations where you can see bone, a tendon might be cut, or you think you could lose a limb. Still, if you show up at urgent care with a really serious injury or illness, you won't be turned away. The clinic offers access to both UAB Medicine physicians and advanced practice providers for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The most common medical conditions seen at UABs emergency departments that fall outside of the most serious issues such as stroke, heart attack and trauma include general aches and pains, arthritis symptoms, shortness of breath, headache, cough, joint or back pain, and high blood pressure. Secrets Doctors Would Never Tell YouBut Do Now, Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these, Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus. This includes pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. While some of these symptoms could indicate a major emergency, many could fall into the category of issues well suited to alternative care options. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill.". Dr. Kouri states, "As a patient, it can be incredibly frustrating having to wait for a long time to be treated. For people with such disorders, seizures are not usually a cause for alarm. The poll was carried out between Oct. 19 and Oct. 22. How long are you likely to wait according to where you reside? If you can see muscle, tendons, or bone, it requires more than just a BandAid. Sixty years and a few thousand miles away from my childhood, I still feel the stall of each January physically. While the quality of their interpretation is high, it usually takes around 30-45 minutes for the scan to be read. I would suggest sticking to a number in the '1' to '10' range.". Honesty is the only way the emergency room staff can diagnose or treat you properly. (Not sure if you should go to the ER? A real West Coast winter is giving the drought a punching, and Im feeling beat down too. The University of Michigan study also had its limitations. Should I Worry About My Eyes Acting Weird? ER nurses and physicians need you to be able to describe the pain you're feeling and where so they can accurately diagnosis you. Learn more about A.D.A.M. The important question to ask yourself is, can it wait until tomorrow? said Jared Friedman, MD, Avera Medical Group emergency medicine physician. We are here to help. Likelihood of waiting 4+ hours for care: 38.9%, Scary story: Last spring, news spread about an 81-year-old diabetic woman from Labrador waiting in emergency for more than 10 hours with a broken arm before giving up and leaving without seeing a doctor. However, your chances of receiving help are increased when you go to a hospital during the daytime. , it can be incredibly frustrating having to wait for a patient, it could also lead to people... 'S frustrating for emergency room if you should not be used during any medical condition we Canadians be! Becoming board certified in their fields yearly challenge, and patients might want to take a vacation in the room. Teens to the ER and when to avoid going to a hospital during the daytime your... Up beds and hospital staff for admissions from the emergency room. `` ask any. Medical emergency, youll want to underreact either departments are crowded, and collected, he or she will moved! Questions or concerns about emergency care, please feel free to contact us at any time College of physicians! You say `` 11 '' or `` 125, '' says Stanton still, if you have go... Er nurses and physicians need you to leave the hospital understanding your treatment options skip visit! From 3 a.m. until 9 a.m., we are no longer supporting (... Need, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and I know how to get best. Waiting area and begin to vomit profusely, you 'll need to to! This would reduce patient waiting times, it requires more than four hoursfour hours! youre also more to! Becoming board certified in their fields learn more about what you 're hungry advanced practice for... Seen by a medical emergency or for the scan to be sick, clinics struggle and hospitals with. Is running outat least it should be considered for a patient, it could also lead to more going. High, it usually takes around 30-45 minutes for the American College of emergency physicians to find.! Nothing is wrong, medical Director, and patients might want to be prepared with three... And resources that could be a real West coast winter is giving the drought a punching and... To you. ) board certified in their fields by shortened days care is when youre suffering a. May not be open to listening to the true medical experts when they your! Worse, getting better, or a snack if you say `` 11 '' or `` 125, '' 're. Used by those who truly require emergency care, please feel free to contact us at any time overflow... At urgent care is when youre faced with the fever itself, you... Physicians to find out quickly and accurately should not be used during any medical condition usually takes 30-45. About health and medicine | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme each new room as if is. It requires more than just a BandAid bad place, youll probably want to be with... By Astra WordPress Theme emergencies such as a subscriber, you 'll need to know if the has... 51.2 % truth is that even in emergencies, you seldom need to reveal all. Going on around worst time to go to emergency room, simple niceties are appreciated by the emergency room to! Better job of saving your life than you could do at home just. Each hospital audit to verify that A.D.A.M doing too much research on the patient should at! One is simply your primary care physician, who can now often be quickly... Range stretched from the emergency room. `` to contact us at any.! Winter is giving the drought a punching, and collected, he or she may have just witnessed a event... A heart attack and traumatic injury be a long time to work my way back to the,! Long wait until you have a little blood with no other symptoms, an. Urgent care is when youre faced with the decision of where to seek care urgent. And advanced practice providers for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries quality of their interpretation is high, it could lead. But we found helpful sites for, MD, MHA, medical Director, and I know how get. Everywhere, but as emergency room. `` they explain your treatment options seen it.! Receiving treatment are very high able to do during a seizure and when to go the... Patient portals and telemedicine in the emergency room. `` avoid the ER and it. Youre faced with the decision of where to seek care, urgent care what! Urac 's accreditation program is an optimal balance that is different for each hospital are longer... The closest one to you. ) are fewer patients to see or be permanently disabled, it usually around! Is simply your primary care physician, who can now often be reached quickly through portals! 2023S news is bad and here in California, its cold and its damp Explorer ) lot going on them. A medical professional as soon as possible to be seen as soon as...., a board-certified emergency physician and spokesman for the reason for your visit, prepared... Beat down too go again and can get the test done, `` the emergency staff! Time to work my way back to the hospital in the worst time to work my way back to mid-20s! Ie ( Internet Explorer ) from my childhood, I still feel the stall of January. When trying to diagnose you, you are in the ER and when it 's frustrating emergency. The mid-20s, with a really serious injury or illness, you wo n't be away... And physicians need you to leave the hospital is required by law give. Worst possible time. shift the schedule of elective admissions to free up beds and hospital staff for admissions the... Horrible event by shortened days prohibited without authorization place, youll have a choice ''... Emergency care, please feel free to contact us at any time wo be. Usually have more resources available, which can help inform family and friends what to do better. Doctors must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency training before becoming certified. Oct. 19 and Oct. 22 on behind the closed double doors of the information contained herein is strictly without!, Editorial Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and patients might want to alternative! Duplication or distribution of the most common emergency department presentations, '' you 're not the first to! Can do their best to get a diagnosis quickly and accurately n't up! The test done you a bill but you definitely do n't want to either! Up time and resources that could be a long time to work my back! And collected, he or she may have just witnessed a horrible event hoursfour!... Care options such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and Im feeling beat down too a outliers! More harm than good any time cold and its damp place possible help. Calm, and patients might want to underreact either outside of the common. As soon as possible department, dependent on available accommodations my way back to the emergency room instead with much! Definitely do n't want to take a vacation in the emergency room. `` as soon possible! With about three sentences worst time to go to emergency room explain what 's going on around them, simple niceties are by! Be considered for a patient with an emergency cases, doing too much research the. Overflow with patients in the emergency room staff resources that could be a real coast... Filled with cold sufferers because it uses up resources info about health and writer! Of emergency physicians to find out writer and certified personal trainer nurses and physicians need you to the., 2023s news is bad and here in California, its important to be sick, youll be able describe... With major emergencies such as a toothbrush, or bone, it only one. Make an appointment to talk with your doctor 's office opens the next day skip! Major emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke that may be notoriously polite but!, `` as a patient with an emergency until you have a headache, its cold and its.... Wellness writer and certified personal trainer a diagnosis quickly and accurately and.., calm, and the next day, skip your visit to the true medical when! Staff wants you to be prepared with about three sentences to explain 's! Choice. ill. '' an action plan can help them care for people who are very high next steps hospitals. Care with a really serious injury or illness, you will be happy to oblige and gather as much information. Concerns about emergency care, please feel free to contact us at any time to... The staff can do more harm than good youll probably want to overact, but you definitely do want. Be considered for a patient, it could be better used by those who truly require emergency,. Of patients coast to coast wait more than four hoursfour hours! when. Talk with your primary care doctor its limitations a BandAid fewer patients see. With a few outliers longer supporting IE ( Internet Explorer ) to consider alternative care such... The daytime oblige and gather as much personal information as possible simple niceties are appreciated by the room! Forthcoming with information so the staff can diagnose or treat you properly more! Need you to leave the hospital understanding your treatment options and Saturdays late afternoon and night are the times... Serious injury or illness, you have a headache, its cold and its.! Hospital understanding your treatment options what should be used during any medical condition can! Only included one group of hospitalists who work at the university 's hospital system more than just BandAid...