Welcome to The Show City Non-Emergency Room, where we treat your emergency like it isn't, because we're busy treating other people's non-emergencies like they are.
Dear Show City Non-Emergency Room,
Last week I took my daughter to the Show City Non-Emergency room because, after three weeks of unanswered questions, a seemingly unconcerned/passive doctor, and a day of extreme, intolerable physical pain, Amelia needed to get some care in an urgent way. You could say it was an emergency.
However, I failed to read the signs that were clearly marked all around the hospital. I guess I just assumed that they said Show City Emergency Room, so I didn't read that carefully. Imagine my chagrin when I left the hospital in extreme frustration and, for the first time, saw the sign clearly, which indeed said: Show City Non-Emergency Room (SCNER). What a difference a prefix can make.
If I had read correctly the first time, both my daughter and I would have been spared the agony and irritation of waiting to be seen while gazing repeatedly around the room at the other patients that we mistakenly assumed were also emergencies. When we did finally get called in by the triage nurse we were able to see the computer screen listing the NER patients and their ailments such as sore throat, or headache, cough, or stubbed toe.
I would also have understood why, when we entered the NER, the intake clerk looked at my daughter's sobs, tear-stained face, and inability to walk with the blankest of all blank expressions in the history of the medical profession. I thought for sure when a medical professional saw someone in extreme pain they would do everything they could to help the situation, possibly even placing them ahead in priority of the woman with a light, infrequent cough. But of course it turned out they were only in the business of treating non-emergencies.
As we sat and waited hour after hour, the amazement and alarm in my mind grew. We saw several people in seemingly good spirits and no apparent discomfort sitting peacefully, watching late-night TV, chuckling softly in peaceful glee. We saw a family with two happy little girls consuming product after product from the vending machine, as though the whole thing were a picnic. Around one a.m. we noticed a couple making out and snuggling against the wall just before being called in for treatment. A couples retreat to the ER? Then there were the people absentmindedly snacking on Cheetos at 1:30. That really didn't seem like an emergency.
Around 2:00 am we noticed three female college students who were snuggling together, laughing, reading the bible aloud to each other, and singing softly with each other This just about pushed me over the edge. WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM?
It was a few minutes after that that Amelia turned to me and said, "Dad, let's just go home. This is doing no good. At least at home I can try to sleep before we go to the CT scan appointment in the morning."
And after four hours, out we walked. Fortunately, Amelia's pain had subsided a bit for the time being.
Of course, hindsight is 20/20. I should have made a big fuss, I have now learned that. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I now see. But that became a moot point once I correctly read the sign; had I squeaked I probably would have been given a response like, "Oh, I'm sorry sir. This is the NON-emergency room. You'll need to go to another hospital if you have an EMERGENCY."
So why then, am I writing this letter? Just to make a teeny weeny suggestion. How about having the intake nurse clarify that your facility is a NON-Emergency room, right up front? Maybe highlighting that fact that is so deeply buried in the pages of paperwork would help as well, asking responsible parties to initial, showing that it is not place to go if your case is urgent. Then patients would better be able to find a facility that treats EMERGENCIES.
Thanks for nuthin,
Jason Show
Jason Show disclaimer: The writers of this episode understand that Jason is not a medical professional, nor could he possibly understand the inner-workings of an emergency room. This letter was written in frustration from the point of view of a dissatisfied hospital patron whose daughter was in extreme pain during the time that treatment was sought. The Jason Show would also like to encourage individuals who have emergencies to just call an ambulance, which would ensure prompt ER treatment.
24 comments:
I still think you should go make a fuss. They shouldn't be in the medical profession if it is just a business to them. I'm glad Amelia is doing better despite them.
Jason, write the letter and mail it. And yes, in the future, scream as if your child's life depended on it.
omigosh, your poor daughter.....
I say, write the letter and send it. Who ever is in charge there, needs to know about things like this. If no one say's anything they don't realize anything needs to be changed! Hope Amelia is continuing to feel better!
Yes Jason, you should have made a bigger fuss, but you shouldn't have had to.
Unfortunately, for uninsured people, the ER is the only way they can get medical care in the US. It's wasteful, expensive, and jeopardizes people with real emergencies. This isn't a secret. Our former President even said, "We have universal health care. You can go to an emergency room." The ER has become the primary care facility for an increasingly large percentage of Americans.
I'm sorry that you and Amelia have become examples of how broken our health care system is.
Thanks for posting this.
That is just awful. I'm glad that she finally got the care she needed.
Are you actually going to send this letter to the hospital administration? 'Cause I sure would! A NON emergency room? Are you making that up? Because that's something I've never heard of and am appalled by!!!
Justine :o )
When my son was 2 years old he drank his sister's asthma medicine and poison control directed us to the E.R. If I had not gotten into a heated confrontation with the triage nurse his heart would have stopped due to a potassium imbalance while we sat politely waiting in the chairs.
I knew what to say and do because I worked on the periphery of the medical field. The whole situation was completely appalling--as was yours.
I hope you posted this here after mailing a copy to the hospital!
Ugh. Glad it all turned out all right though. Damn Show City.
So glad amelia is okay and that she is no longer in pain.
It makes me sad that you had to write that disclaimer. Regardless of the situation or the business of these places, someone should stop to prioritze. You should not have to yell. THEY are the health care professionals. They should recognize pain and treat it, or at least acknowledge your plight and try to explain.
There really is no excuse for lack of care in those situations. Even if they are overwhelmed (and they are or can be chaotic). Someone should be in charge of actually LOOKING at the people.
Tsk....I don't know why the triage nurse didn't recognize her extreme pain and refer you to the "real" emergency room. Sheesh.
I believe that your problem may be watching television medical shows where doctors stand at the entrance to ERs and leap to help those in distress. Alas, it is all fiction. As a middle aged man with severe chest pains and a history of heart attacks, my friend sat for hours while they simply took people in order of appearance. The nurse said if he went unconscience on the floor, then he would move up the line. It's just the state of American medical centers today.
Bummer, sorry I couldn't enlighten you with the secret to getting immediate attention in the ER: PUKE ON THE FLOOR! Whooo boy, you've never seen ER personnel move so quickly to get you into a private room!
(*ahem* I had severe stomach pains about 2 years ago which finally led me to the ER. I started feeling hot, and asked if I could lay down on the gurney in the room as the check-in lady was taking her sweet time taking my pulse & asking medical history questions. I was brushed off and about 3 minutes later, well, let's just say she's lucky I missed her shoes. That'll show her to deny somone's request to lie down! Turns out I actually was sick because of the pain, caused by IBS (stress does wonderful things to our bodies...), and not because I was "sick-sick"...but it still took a 3-day hospital stay & a month and 1/2 of tests to figure that one out. And before they "diagnosed" it, I had another trip to the ER w/out puking, and I waited waaaayyyyy longer to be looked at! But I digress. Anyway, next time you'll know...)
What?? That is ridiculous! I feel so bad for Amelia! I would send that letter in, just how it is written!
especially that last line!
You shouldn't have had to, true. I also think you should send the letter, but also include some 80-pt font signs that say "NON-EMERGENCY" in bright red letters and enclose them with the letter. Maybe they'll get the hint and post them!
Glad Amelia is better. XX
A "non-emergency" room. I've NEVER heard of such a thing. How ridiculous... and even if that is their goal (non emergencies) it was obvious she was in pain. Where the hell are peoples brains these days. Good Lord!
I say mail the letter. I say send a copy to the Show City Times too!
I was trying to think of all of these movies and TV shows where the character chucks a hissy with the nursing staff and all I could come up with is Terms of Endearment.
That took me two days.
What is done is done.
When I was in the ER 10 years ago with a collapsed lung, I was immediately given a number and returned to my seat, until a senior nurse saw me and took me in immediately.
That nurse told me that if it was ever to happen again to tell them what was happening and not let them sit me down.
I don't know what to say. The triage nurses have a tough job and not every decision is correct.
That said, I am glad Amelia is fixed, and that is all that matters
Wow. I'm sorry you had that experience. Unfortunately, Maggie above is right - you need to mess up their floor to get the attention you need.
I am so sorry that you and Amelia had such a bad experience. I know that the BIG ERs do have a long wait. With many hospitals across the US closing down, it just burdens the rest with high patient traffic.
Unfortunately, as you pointed out, many folks come to the ED when they should be at the MD office or an Urgent Care facility.
My favorite description of these folks is that they have a "Sprained Eyelash" and I do get frustrated with them taking up spots that legitamate patients need to have.
I wish I could post your comments in our waiting room. We have patients who come and leave after 15 minutes, because the wait is too long. I could say they are spoiled, because we used to be able to get them right in. That was, of course, before the area doubled in size. They still think we should be able to get them right back. IRKS ME TO DEATH.
Had I been your triage nurse, or the charge nurse on shift, I would have tried to get a bed for Amelia as soon as I could. We take patients in order of severity, not arrival.
Glad she is doing so well. Keep her quiet (HA HA) and get her back on her feet.
Love you guys!!!
What an awful experience you all had. I want you to know that not all ERs are so incompetent. You are absolutely right about the squeaky wheel thing. Sad but true. The best method is to start with being firm but respectful and if that doesn't work, just go all psycho on their ass. That usually works....or lands you in jail. :-)
BTW, thank you for your kind comment. You are too kind. I can rest now. (Even if I did beg for it)
I agree. Write the letter.
I hope Amelia is feeling better. Sending good thoughts to all of you!
Can I just tell you that it MAKES ME SICK that in the city where I work EVERYONE goes to the emergency room for everything. A cold. Emergency Room. EVERY SINGLE THING! Who does that? I thought emergency rooms were for emergencies too. That is crazy!
Does not surprise me. I'm appalled at so much in the medical "industry" these days.
I hope Amelia is feeling much better.
Hugs!
Post a Comment