Anything other than:
hemorrhage
compound fracture
stroke
severe infection
MI or severe chest pain
severe abdominal pain
labor dystocia, pp, other OB emergency
near-death from trauma or other sudden onset
sudden loss of vision or paralysis
sudden incontinence
is stupid. My recent experience in the ER confirmed this to me. Even my severe pain and sudden loss of use of a limb didn't keep me from avoiding the lunacy of going to an ER. Heck, I think maybe we should just do away with ER's altogether and just, when it's our time to go, go. Just kidding - but almost serious.



Here's a stupid reason to call 911 - no ride. Not an emergent condition, just no ride to get to the ER for treatment of HIV-related pain. I had a home care patient who did this once. Granted, he was sicker than usual but I thought we ought to try to find a friend or relative to carry him to the hospital, not call 911 so an ambulance would come. What did I know?