Emergency Room

No one plans on going to the emergency room, but it's smart to plan ahead in case you do have to go. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), nearly 100 million people go to the emergency room each year. It's good to know what to expect and what you can do to make sure the visit is successful.

Preparation

You should always be prepared for an emergency. (Read about "Emergency") That means having a list of phone numbers ready near the phone. Police, fire, poison control center (Read about "Poison Prevention"), local hospital, ambulance service and your family doctor should all be on the list. ACEP also suggests that you keep another list that includes:

• all your medications and dosages
• allergies
• insurance information
• family contacts

Include also any other information that might help the emergency team. You can use our printed form by following this link. (Read about "Medical Information Form") Remember to keep it in a place that someone can easily find, in case you are unable to tell them.

Recognizing an emergency

Knowing when you or someone you know needs emergency attention can be critical. The American Heart Association points out that most of the damage from a heart attack (Read about "Heart Attack") occurs in the first two hours. But most people wait several hours before seeking help. It is often better to err on the side of caution. A second question is often this: should you drive yourself, have someone else take you to the emergency room or should you call an ambulance? Here are some guidelines from ACEP:

• Is the situation life threatening?
• Could the condition worsen and even become life threatening during a drive to the emergency room?
• Do you need special equipment or skills to move the person?
• Could traffic or distance delay getting to the emergency room?

If the answer is yes to any of those questions, ACEP says call the ambulance right away. Remember with an ambulance, treatment can begin on the way to the emergency room if it is serious enough, such as a heart attack, stroke, a deep cut or burn. (Read about "Stroke" "Wound Care" "Burn Prevention")

At the ER

Once you get to the ER you, of course, want to be treated right away. That may not happen, not because you shouldn't have gone but because someone else may have a more serious problem. When you arrive, the first person you may see is a triage nurse. They will do a quick exam to decide what your condition is and how quickly you need to be treated. You will probably have to wait to see a physician and it will all depend on your individual situation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average wait is 41 minutes to see a doctor. Once again, expect to wait less or more depending on the urgency of your situation and how busy it is in the ER. If you have a relatively minor problem, such as a small cut or a minor orthopedic injury (Read about "Orthopedics"), you may have to wait several hours to be seen. You may want to consider bringing a book, newspaper or something else to help pass the time while you are waiting to see the doctor.

The total time you spend in the emergency room will depend on a lot of things. Here are some other reasons you may have to wait according to ACEP:

• Overcrowding due to epidemics, such as flu season (Read about "Influenza"), or serious accidents.
• Waiting for tests or x-rays to be performed and then again for the results. (Read about "X-rays")
• You may need a specialist and they need to arrive.
• If you need to be admitted to the hospital there may be a delay if there aren't any beds available or just to get the paperwork done.

If you do go to the ER, remember to stay calm. If you have to wait, you may be uncomfortable but there is probably a reason for the delay. The emergency room should not be used as a substitute for routine medical care, but in a true emergency, it can literally be a lifesaver.

Related Information:

    Urgent Care

    Medical Procedures

    At the Hospital: For Patients

    Health Insurance Terms Glossary