The U.S. healthcare delivery system is wrought with flaws that must be fixed—from nursing shortages and being able to receive getting quality care to outrageous medical costs, which are still on the rise. One issue that needs to be addressed is overuse or the misuse of the emergency department (ER). Overuse of the ER might seem harmless for someone trying to get looked at in a hurry or avoid paying a copay. Still, the number of people doing this has negatively affected several areas of healthcare systems nationwide. The fact is that sometimes patients do not know when they should go to the ER. When nurses and hospital workers are trying to save lives and treat emergent situations, ER overcrowding becomes a problem. This article will help determine when you should use the ER vs. urgent care, when you should go to the ER, and some reasons not to go to the ER.
When Should I Go To The ER (Emergency Room)?
Knowing when an emergency requires an ER visit versus other options, such as urgent care, is essential and should be considered for many reasons. So what indications necessitate going to the ER for emergency care?
Signs You Need To Go To The ER:
- Short of breath or hard to breathe- Allergies, asthma, or heart conditions could cause this. Whenever breathing becomes difficult, this warrants immediate attention, such as a visit to the ER.
- Chest or abdominal pain for two minutes or longer- Not to be confused with a major cause of heartburn, chest pain needs to be taken seriously, with every second counting, because you could be dealing with a heart attack!
- Unusual abdominal pain- this could be a sign of appendicitis, gallbladder, liver, or kidney problems. Therefore, intense or unusual abdominal pain warrants a trip to the emergency room.
- Sudden, severe pain- broken bones, swelling, and bruising or severe burns- are good reasons to take a trip to the ER. Whenever you have severe pain without apparent reason, it could be signs of internal problems, another good reason to head to the ER, where they have the proper equipment to check you out.
- Excessive bleeding- significant cuts or lacerations where stitches are needed need ER attention.
- Dizziness and fainting- could be signs of dehydration, and you need immediate attention due to the risk of a stroke.
Reasons Not To Go To The ER:
Some people use emergency room services when their condition doesn't require it; instead, it could be treated by an urgent care or another healthcare provider's office visit. You might find yourself sitting in a waiting room for hours, watching people go you who just arrived. You might think heading to the ER will get you a quick fix to whatever your ailment might be when the ER doesn't treat you in order from the time you showed up but instead will treat people in the most need or more severe conditions first. Another reason to avoid the ER is the cost of the services, you might avoid paying a copay, but the price you will end up paying is anything but cheaper. If you can wait for a doctor's appointment or make a trip to the local urgent care, your bill will be much less than if you make a trip to the local emergency department. Here is a list of medical conditions you might want to avoid going to the ER for and instead find another medical option, such as urgent care:
- Sprains, strains, and other minor injuries
- Minor burns
- STDs
- Abscesses on the skin
- Skin rashes
- Bee stings
- Coughing, sore throat (cold symptoms)
- Fevers, unless extremely high
This list above is a few reasons people tend to go to the ER when it's unnecessary. The decision to use the emergency room is an important one and should be made only when it's truly necessary. If not warranted, you are putting unnecessary strain on ER nurses and other staff members. If your conditions are not emergent, you could be costing people in dire need of critical time the help they need. A study run by the Rand Corporation has estimated a cost of $4.4 billion to patients, hospitals, and insurance companies due to unnecessary ER visits.
Conclusion:
Emergency room use has only grown with an aging population "that can be expected." Still, with unnecessary visits being a growing problem, it's necessary to have this issue brought to attention. If you are unsure your condition requires emergency care, you can always pick up the phone and call your doctor. Telehealth and other services can advise you on what to do.
