A Headache is not an emergency

Specialties Emergency

Published

I just don't understand!!

Why are patients using the ED for a simple headache just to get??? Tylenol. That stuff doesn't even work. It's more like placebo pills!

Insurance pays $5,000 for a freaking headache

My insurance rates go up because you decided to read in the dark.

Move to Barrow, Alaska to have 24 hour sunlight..

I guess I just like being healthy & if anything is going wrong near my brain I want it fixed sooner rather than later.

I think you went a little overboard with that comment.

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Perhaps in some places.... Where I work we will get you in same day.... And this behavior still happens. ( or they make an appointment ... No show..... And then go to the Er )

Yes Yes Yes!

Many PRIMARY CARE Physicians do have certain time slots set aside each day for such cases. It gets a bit old hearing patients say no they didn't call their PCP when I ask. The ER is not a one stop shop.

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I never knew there were rules to use the ER. If you don't like your job, I'm sorry & maybe you should look into a different one.

When I went the other night there wasn't anyone in the ER & I wasn't taking up valuable time.

Yes I had the pain for awhile but it wasn't worth addressing until last night, on a Friday when my doctor was closed. I thought I just had a sore throat & it would go away, I was wrong.

It has nothing to do with "rules to use the ER". There is a reason why we have doctors with different specialties to cover the spectrum of medical problems. We are not saying that the ER shouldn't have treated you, we are bringing into focus the extreme importance of utilizing other options prior to going to the Emergency Room. For example, you wouldn't go to the ER for a colonoscopy. I'm not saying an ear infection is "routine", Im just emphasizing that we have established different specialties for such reasons.

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... For example, you wouldn't go to the ER for a colonoscopy. ...

Umm, yes they do. Had one yesterday.

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Specializes in Hospital medicine; NP precepting; staff education.
Umm, yes they do. Had one yesterday.

y

Yup. Happens all the time. I am baffled why people think all specialties are just waiting to take the next case at their local ED.

Now I don't mind seeing headaches, or other items that can be managed in less acute settings...but I do wonder what barriers to access to primary care meant that they didn't go.

There's lack of insurance, lack of appt. availability, being from out of town and the presenting problem can't wait, and then lack of common sense. I can't cure any of those.

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Umm, yes they do. Had one yesterday.

Notice I said you WOULDNT go to the ER for a colonoscopy.....I didn't say they wouldn't do one.

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Notice I said you WOULDNT go to the ER for a colonoscopy.....I didn't say they wouldn't do one.

I would not go to the ER for 95% of what people do.

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

I give up :(

We just had someone bring a baby in by ambulance for diaper rash x 2 hours. This pretty much sums up the reason for this post.

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I give up :(

We just had someone bring a baby in by ambulance for diaper rash x 2 hours. This pretty much sums up the reason for this post.

Wow!!!!

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Hi, my emotions are overwhelmed and lacerated from reading all these posts. should I go to an ER, will they activate psychiatric level I trauma? I am allergic to morphine, toradol, codeine, zofran, tylenol, and oh, narcan.

LOL!!! You're allergic to Narcan!!!

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