The Emergency Room Is Only For Emergencies

One of the biggest health problems of the current day is the over use and abuse of the emergency health care system in the United States. While it may seem that trip to the local hospital emergency room is a necessary one you might be surprised to learn that many people if they are turned away at the emergency room for whatever reason will not return. For the most part this is because many of the issues that they are presenting with can be handled by over the counter treatment or by waiting until the next business day to see a doctor.

This is one of the biggest concerns over the adaptation to the health care system. While most people feel that excessive emergency room visits are perpetuated by those who don't have any form of health insurance coverage, the truth of the matter is that it is the people who have health insurance who continually show up in the ER with non-emergency issues. Since most hospitals are required to see and treat anyone who comes through the doors, this many times leaves the hospital emergency room overflowing when a serious trauma related injury arrives. This may cause longer wait times for seriously ill patients just because of the overcrowding.

It is up to the receptionist to prioritize the emergencies and when they will be treated. Obviously they are going to put serious injuries over a head cold, but the person with the head cold doesn't typically care about the person with the broken bones. They want immediate help and typically end up complaining to the receptionist who has enough on her plate already. Before you start yelling at the receptionist, remember that having health insurance doesn't give you priority over someone with a much more serious injury. Consider yourself lucky to have insurance because a lot of the people in that emergency room are not quite as fortunate.

Remember that emergency rooms are exactly what they are called. Rooms where people need to be treated for emergencies, and the people that work there need to prioritize in a way that your head cold might not seem like a really stirring issue. In minor situations, you can avoid the emergency room by simply going to the nearest pharmacy, which is probably closer to your home than the nearest hospital. They can prescribe anything the hospital will and it will take less time.

Today's revamped health care system will make things even more complicated and probably make the emergency rooms even more crowded. If it's bleeding or broken, sure, head to the emergency room as soon as possible, If you have a cold or some congestion, simply head to the nearest pharmacy and bring your insurance card. The receptionist at the emergency room will thank you for it.