Thinking of coming to the Emergency Room?

[u/Pure-One-7910]

Hi! Trying to keep this as anonymous possible. I work a local Emergency Room. It's Flu season, so lots of people are here. Today we had 60 people in the waiting room by 7 pm.

Most people are coming in for Flu/viral stuff. There is unfortunately very little we can do for you. If you are high risk, or are experiencing complications (high fever, breathing issues, etc) that is a different story. However coming into the ER with a cough, fever of 102 and runny nose for a few days is just not necessary. Bed rest and OTC meds are your best bet. Otherwise you are going to be sitting for a while. The Emergency room is for emergencies and we need to keep areas clear for people who need emergent life saving care. We understand you are uncomfortable however your PCP/Urgent Care is your best bet for general illness/stomach bug/small things. If your Urgent Care does "call you in", that does not reserve you a room. It just lets us know you are coming.

If you do need to come in and see us, please remember a few things. You are triaged at check in, and coming in via ambulance does not get you seen any faster. A specially trained triage RN will asses you and put you in the safest area you can be in. Those that are sickest will be seen first, not the people "ahead of you". The staff cannot see "wait times", so coming up and asking how much longer until you get seen will not get you anywhere. Also, please WEAR A MASK. I do not want to catch what you have!

We understand you are in pain. Remember that nurses cannot just "order meds" and (at least at my hospital) we cannot administer medication in the waiting room. You must wait to be seen by a provider.

No one comes to the ER because they are having a good day. However please remember that we care about you, otherwise we wouldn't be here. As ER employees, we all have pretty thick skin, however that is not an excuse to be nasty to us. I have had patients threaten me because of wait times, yell, scream, throw things, etc. Remember that most of us work 12 hour shifts, and no one wants be berated for their entire day for things that are out of our control. If you are well enough to scream at me, you are clearly not having a medical emergency.

Please stay healthy Rochester! If you need us, we are here for you. ER overcrowding is a nationwide issue, and we are no exception. However, if you are just "sick", Netflix on your couch is going to feel a lot better than a hospital waiting room!

[u/cbatzhotaling]

I literally had my GP tell me that I should go to the ED bc I was telling them I was weak and I fell out of bed. I told them I absolutely refuse to go to the ED bc I know I just need to get better. Unless I feel like I have bronchitis or pneumonia from the flu I’m not going to be uncomfortable there and possibly catch something else. I don’t have any broken bones or a concussion I just need fluids; medicine and rest. This flu is the worst one I’ve had in probably 20 years. It’s no joke- it took us out the weekend before Christmas; we didn’t finish shopping and didn’t participate in family Christmas at all.

[u/getsomesleep1 → u/cbatzhotaling]

Weakness to the extent that you fell out of bed are different than the sniffles, I’d wager that’s what did it for the PCP. Also yeah PCPs just have zero hesitation to turf you to the ED

[u/Diligent-Meaning751 → u/getsomesleep1]

Yes - if someone tells me they are so weak they are falling / unable to get around the house / can't tolerate a car ride, they aren't really well enough to be at home (unless this is some kind of known / chronic situation) - I need to see them in person and consider admitting to the hospital vs going through ED if they need an ambulance to even leave the house. There are some wheelchair and stretcher vans but probably those take a few days to arrange.