How to cross the e faster
These quick tips would be concerned about you more quickly, when it counts the most.
You would think a medical "emergency" requiring, by definition, "immediate attention", you would mean that you would be assisted immediately. And yet most of the ers feel like the waiting room ofBeetlejuice: Take a number. They serve patient 4 and you are ... 3,000 005?
In fact, even if it seems to take ages, the average waiting time of the American ERS is 22.4 minutes, but to D.C. You can wait 49 minutes, or 35 minutes to Delaware, according toPropublica report. It can take anywhere at 91 minutes (North Dakota) at 351 (in Puerto Rico) to enter and go out.
Overall, it is impressive that doctors treat so many people so quickly - and yet it's not fast enough for you when you suffer. That's why we asked the benefits what you can do to prepare for a potential visit so you will get the best care as quickly as possible. Take a look, and to make sure your home is safe for you and the whole family, do not miss this essential list of100 ways your home can make you sick.
Make sure you have these four things
"Bring your health insurance card, your identity card, your credit card and something to help you spend the time, such as an iPad," says Anthony Youn, MD, author ofPlaying God: the evolution of a modern surgeon.
Bring someone with you, if you can
"Whenever you need to look for emergency care, one of the best things you can bring is a person to help you advocate for you," saysEric Adkins, MDAssociate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at the Ohio State University Medical Center. "If you walk and you can talk enough for yourself, then you are probably good. But if you are really sick, it's good to have that healthy person there, which can prevent you from you Upper up and down and can ask doctors and nurses in your name. "
Bring a phone charger
Stay connected to friends and family by phone could help accelerate your care, Notes Adkins. Most emergency departments can charge your phone if you miss juice, but you could be separated from that for a moment.
Know your medical history
"The best way to accelerate care should be informed of your medical history, including medical conditions, medicines and recent tests," saidRick Pescatore, do, FAAEM, Director of Clinical Research and the Medical Director for EMS to the Crozer-Keystone Health System in Pennsylvania.
Bring your medications or list of what you are currently taking
This was the most frequently given opinion of doctors and nurses we talked about. "Wear a list of medicines with you or your phone is a fantastic way to help your doctor understand quickly and reliably with your medical history and contribute to your presentation," says Pescatore.
Keep recent analyzes or medical images on your phone
"With current electronic medical records, institutions are now able to see details of your care at another hospital. But not everyone has that yet," says Adkins. "One thing I think is useful, if you are not at this hospital before or maybe you travel, has a copy of your old EKG. If you have chest pain or shortness of breath, the possibility of Watching for the old EKG, can help influence the physician's decision based on all they see on the current EKG. With mobile phones, it's very easy to take a picture of your EKG and easily share that. "
Focus on what brought you there
An emergency service is a hectic place. When you are evaluated, do not remember, but cut off the Chase, why are you looking for help at that time? "The things that will slow you down include too many complaints," said Paul Weinberg, MD, a longstanding emergency doctor based in Creston, California. "If you have a headache and a weakness and pain in your leg, it's a great job for a doctor. Medicine requires a thoroughness. And the emergency departments are generally quite in-depth."
Describe the symptoms that way
"Patients should explain their symptoms from the two to three days of the three-day period," said JENE Cyin, Rn, BSN, a nurse authorized to the emergency department of the Anaheim Medical Center in Anaheim, California . "Be concise. For example, evaluate the level of pain (zero to ten, with ten being the worst) and describe the type of pain (dull or net). Describe any related symptom - if they have a stomach pain They should also share if they also have diarrhea, fever or nausea. "
"Be concise and to the point of saying, you are right for you. "The medical staff is usually very busy, but they need to know your story. Take their clues so that you know that you give them the information they need."
Place your phone when the doctor arrives
"One thing we encounter is that we will go see the patients and they will be on their phone, do something on a social media site, or more interested in television television," says Adkins. "Doctors and nurses are not high and powerful - we do not expect to bow - but their time is very sensitive and limited. The best thing to do as patient is to give them your individual attention for you can have a productive conversation and understand the plan. "
Ask until you understand
"Ask questions during your time with the doctor," says Adkins. "Understand what the plan is and what will happen after your visit. When the suppliers do not have to come back to answer questions, it shaves a couple of [waiting time for] each patient."
Be cooperative
"The most important thing that slows down the process is that patients do not conform," says Cyin. "For example, patients reach stomach pain expect to be treated, but they refuse to get their blood drawn and tested or refuse mandatory urine tests."
Do not be a fool
Whenever you create a ventilation in communication, you add to your waiting time. "As a patient, it's probably one of the worst days you have been going to have for a long time, when you have to go to the emergency department," says Adkins. "But one of the fastest ways to create a barrier is if you are not polished and do not respond to people respectfully. You can not be happy, because you have trouble suffering or there is Something happens. But be rude and demanding, as cursed to the staff, is certainly not ok. "
Trust your doctor
Be informed of your health is great. Ask for a CT analysis after getting your symptoms - and the doctor's advice, not so much. "One thing that is often not helpful tries to make your own diagnosis through internet research, with a preconceived notion that suppliers breaks down this benchmark, rather than let them do their own independent evaluation," said Weinberg.
"Request additional tests based on something that you have read online can add costs and time, and may not be relevant for your overall general care at the time," says Adkins. "Trust your health professionals. You can get additional tests as an outpatient consultation or with your primary care doctor. It is important to have good relations with a primary care doctor, where you can have these Discussions and be referred to subpritures if necessary. " Good advice. And live your happiest and healthiest life, do not miss this essential list of the50 irregular habits on the planet.