Info for patients on how the ER works

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hi Everybody

Does anyone have or know how to get a brochure, handout or Bulletin Board for Patients so they can understand How the Emergency Department Works and Why Some Patients come in after you and are Seen before you.

Your help in this matter would be very much apprieciated

Thanks

Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

You can always make your own script and take it to the local printer.

Don't forget the "MDs bill separately" line.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You can always make your own script and take it to the local printer.

Don't forget the "MDs bill separately" line.

And the part about being treated in order of severity of illness/injury...

Give examples, you know...

"Your runny nosed 3 y/o who is racing around the triage/waiting area does NOT trump the crushing chest pain....no matter HOW long you've been waiting."

Just an aside...we have a phone in our waiting area that allows pts to call their docs...should the wait be too long for their little darlings...

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I work in an urgent care department, that is also a walk in clinic. We see everything from fractuers, headcolds, to chest pain. We have posted in every room a small framed message to our pts. explaing our triaging and why the wait may be long. What we find is most people do not care if you have an emergent problem going on. They are most concerned about fast service. Good luck with your sign.:crying2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had an interesting experience New Years Day. I had a waterskiing accident & hit my head - total amnesia for a while (as in, couldn't remember my name, address, what happened, anything!) Quite scary, so my friends took me to the ED. Now, I used to work at this ED, so some of the frequent flier Sunday afternoon pts were sitting in the waiting room, & recognised me.

I appeared unhurt, no bones poking out or anything exciting like that, but obviously given my potential injuries I went straight into CT. The triage nurse apparently had to call security AND the police to drag out one man who was going to beat up the guy who drove me in because I was seen before his daughter, & there was "nothing wrong" with me.

Turns out he was right (no swelling or bruising etc). Still, it's funny to see it from the other side of the fence.

Ruth

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency room, med/surg, UR/CSR.

I agree with others on this thread. Some people just won't be educated no matter how hard you try. We have a really neat color brochure that explains smart ER and ambulance usage etc, we have stacks of them in each room, and in the waiting room. I also taped one to the window by triage. Guess what? We still have those that bring themselves and thier kids in for stupid things. You just can't educate someone whose IQ rivals that of pond scum.

JMHO, Pam

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think there is too much you can do about it. My mother is a retired physician and about two months ago I had her come into ER so I could see her. Only I was there yet and since they were working a MVA, 1 MI and 2 R/O MI's... She had to wait.

When I finally did get there and she got back I was shocked to hear a former doc go on like she did.

Now honestly admit, even working ER wouldn't you get a little tiny bit annoyed at having to wait? :D

Dave

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with others on this thread. Some people just won't be educated no matter how hard you try. We have a really neat color brochure that explains smart ER and ambulance usage etc, we have stacks of them in each room, and in the waiting room. I also taped one to the window by triage. Guess what? We still have those that bring themselves and thier kids in for stupid things. You just can't educate someone whose IQ rivals that of pond scum.

JMHO, Pam

So do you all think this is a phenomenon of our time?

I mean...when we were kids we would've had to have had bones protruding and massive bleeding and passing out from hypovolemic shock before my parents would have gone to the ER!!! Even then I think it would only happen after a call to our doc!

I can count on one hand the number of times I have been to the ER as a kid or adult (you know-as a pt! :rotfl: )...or taken my kids in!! Even before becoming a nurse!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Being honest the only time that I have been in the ER, I have been taken back promptly.

I think that the last time, I had temp of 104, BP 50/26, pulse 145, and severe abdominal pain. No one objected that I went back first, either.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

We call "triage" the "gatekeeper". We all rotate. When Im in triage and someone gets upset about who goes back first...I just tell them "Id be happy to take you back ahead of everyone else - if you can find someone (patient) in the er that would give you their spot".. The rest of the waiting room hears this. It usually calms them down for a while...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

YOU BE THE WORSEST, YOU BE THE FIRSTEST!!!!!:chuckle

Up Vote Up Vote ×
YOU BE THE WORSEST, YOU BE THE FIRSTEST!!!!!:chuckle

Can I get this in an 11X14 please!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

HOW ABOUT A SIGN THAT SAYS

"Due to the War in Iraq - We no longer carry Narcotics-Sorry for the inconvenience." (We blame everything else on the war, right?). The drug seekers will go somewhere else. :rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment