I apologize

Doesn't sound like anything you need to apologize for. You can't control other people's choices and actions.

Lol, I know, I just keep thinking if I teach and reinforce anytime I can it will eventually work.

I mean, how useful are we if we can't get something that simple across?

I tell my family and friends, "ARE YOU GOING TO DIE?!" Then it can wait.

Pretty much everyone who walks in gets bloodwork and an IV. I tell people "if it's not bad enough to need an IV, go to prompt are or make an appointment with your regular doctor."

(Autocorrect decided "bloodwork" should be "bloodworm". Glad I caught THAT one before posting!).

I just love their blank state when you ask what the emergency is....

Yea, this patient just loves going to the ER. She has a headache unrelieved by OTC tylenol. Refuses to try ibuprofen or cold pack or rest. Because of pain, BP is borderline high. Insists her pulmonologist told her to go to the ER if she isnt feeling well. I try to explain that I'm sure this doctor was referring to resp distress. Still insists she wants to go. Fine, do wtv you want while I go bang my head against the wall a few times...

You can lead a horse to a PCP....

I think people go to the ER because it's less hassle than to call their primary, schedule an appointment, and actually wait for that date...even if it is only a day or 2 away.

I've never worked in ER, but I've been there as a patient or with family. I'm appalled by what some people consider emergency. I worked urgent care for 5 years freaking ridiculous. Hangnail, yeast infection, cold sx for 2 hours...seriously???

Yea this patient just loves going to the ER. She has a headache unrelieved by OTC tylenol. Refuses to try ibuprofen or cold pack or rest. Because of pain, BP is borderline high. Insists her pulmonologist told her to go to the ER if she isnt feeling well. I try to explain that I'm sure this doctor was referring to resp distress. Still insists she wants to go. Fine, do wtv you want while I go bang my head against the wall a few times...[/quote']

Can I just say that although it may not seem like an emergency to you, a headache can be a symptom of something more sinister!! Instead of assuming how about asking 'when is the pain worse?' Or 'do you have any visual issues/disturbances?' If the answers are in the morning and yes then get a neuro-ophthalmologist to look for papiloedma which is indicative of IIH!!!

You can lead a horse to a PCP....

I don't want to see a horse on PCP, bad enough all the homeless on it! :)

Can I just say that although it may not seem like an emergency to you, a headache can be a symptom of something more sinister!! Instead of assuming how about asking 'when is the pain worse?' Or 'do you have any visual issues/disturbances?' If the answers are in the morning and yes then get a neuro-ophthalmologist to look for papiloedma which is indicative of IIH!!!

Lol, just because my post doesn't describe my evaluations, doesn't mean I didn't ask questions. I did evaluate her pain, and possible associated symptoms. Nothing. Her mother told me they ALREADY saw her neuro because of it, he thinks it is linked to her BiPap (when she was on Cpap she didn't have headaches like that) They are ALREADY waiting on overnight oxymetry to be scheduled. This patient has heavier analgesia on hand than tylenol, just wanted to go to the ER. Maybe YOU shouldn't assume I didn't do my job properly

I think more and more ED's are developing to include a "minor care" department. If we had a system that had a 24 hour urgent care we would have ED's less clogged and less overwhelmed nurses... believe me, I had to go for stitches at 2 am once and I felt so guilty about walking past all the RN's and docs I knew, but where else was I supposed to go?