Not exactly the Motel 6, but....

Katnip, RN · Aug 30, 2004

I wouldn't say the VAST majority of people in an ED actually need the ED.

I can see it now..."I'm sicker than you...get off that f****** bed!"

I'm sorry, but the last thing we need is more people camping in the ED. We know you're uncomfortable, we know you're in pain, but we just can't cater to every single person who needs to be in this position or that position to be more comfortable.

If we have a bed for one person, then the next person is going to want to sleep next to them because "I'm with him and I've been here so long."

It's bad enough when people ask for a toothbrush and complain it's not the brand they use at home.

I'm not sayiing you would do any such thing, but I know for a fact there are enough people out there who would, and that would just make life more miserable for everyone.

As for ICUs, there are some out there that will at least provide a recliner for overnight visitors. I don't think they're in the majority though.

veetach · Aug 30, 2004

Tom, go back and re-read your thread, you answered some of your own questions. any reclining surface is entirely out of the question, as it is right now we have had to go and pry oversexed teenagers off of each other in the chairs, I can just see what would happen if we have beds in the waiting room!!!

If a patient is not able to sit in a wheelchair or a chair then they need to bring this to the triage nurses attention. Usually the triage nurse will already identify the need. I am sorry but a pt with a UTI does not qualify to be given a room immediately.

FZ1Tom · Aug 30, 2004

Easy now Veetach - I was just mostly rambling and trying to put a lighter spin on what I've learned over the last few years. I ain't God, okay? :chuckle

Somehow I don't think St John's ER is often crowded with hypersexed teens even on weekends. Looked to me like mostly just old farts and kids.

Oh yeah, and I'm not upset about the long waits. I know UTI's, pyelo, prostatitis and all that nice and painful stuff won't kill ya to wait a while and that there was plenty of folks who needed treatment first. Your pain doesn't much care about that tho, either. So ya do whats ya can and waits your turn. We cool now?

Best regards,

Tom

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2004

Our couches and chairs aren't the most comfortable seats in the world, but as already stated, we don't want people camping out in the ER. I guarantee you that if we had beds available to people waiting, they would be full at all times, and not neccesarily by people that need them. Everyone would think they needed to lay down, so there would always be someone on the beds, and not available for someone who really needed it anyway. I have one bed in the alcove next to my triage area and if I can't get someone back right away and I think they need to have a close eye kept on them, then I put them on that bed. That is rare, but it happens. I don't let them lay back there simply because they think they need to though. That is also where my infant assessment area is, so I can't tie up that area unless I absolutely have too. In the rare instances that I do have a person on the cart back there, they go back as soon as I get a room in the back. Sorry to ramble. Hope this clears your questions up.

Pam

Trauma Columnist · Aug 30, 2004

We too don't allow lying around in our ER waiting room, but we do have beds where patients can be observed while they are waiting. We even provide pillows and blankets. Did you ask? I'm sorry you were so miserable.

veetach · Aug 31, 2004

Easy now Veetach - I was just mostly rambling and trying to put a lighter spin on what I've learned over the last few years. I ain't God, okay? :chuckle
Somehow I don't think St John's ER is often crowded with hypersexed teens even on weekends. Looked to me like mostly just old farts and kids.
Oh yeah, and I'm not upset about the long waits. I know UTI's, pyelo, prostatitis and all that nice and painful stuff won't kill ya to wait a while and that there was plenty of folks who needed treatment first. Your pain doesn't much care about that tho, either. So ya do whats ya can and waits your turn. We cool now?
Best regards,
Tom

I didnt intend to sound heated up. Sorry if thats how I came off. My point is if you as a patient are feeling like you cant tolerate sitting and waiting, please tell a nurse. We try as hard as we can to evaluate and re-evaluate everyone and personally, I would really hate to have anyone sitting in the waiting room who cannot tolerate sitting. But unfortunately, if you are out of my field of vision then I cannot see your declining condition.

In my opinion, the ER is there to perform a service, it isnt a "bother" for someone to come and say "hey my dad/mom/sister, etc is getting worse and she/he doesnt look so good". thanks also for the input Tom :)

tiredfeetED · Aug 31, 2004

wow..I wish i could pull your post tom and show it to our pts...Our pts wait at the most...10-15mins. One lady waited 5 min the other day with a small lac, walked out because she waited to long..Your hand not mine!

Uptoherern, RN · Sep 16, 2004

in our waiting room, they lay down on the tile floor! Or right outside the entrance to pee in the bushes or throw up..........geez. there's a bathroom right there. Seems that usually the ones that make the most fuss are the ones that can wait. It's the silently waiting grayer than gray old man patiently waiting in the corner that you have to watch out for.

eak16 · Sep 16, 2004

Have you had any experience working in an ER, or any acute care setting for that matter? i noticed that most of your postings are complaints about how you were treated at one time or another. It sounds like you have a bone to pick with the system. Let me tell you, nurses are already your best friends in the system. But doing our job well and safely doesn't involve being perfect. Goodbye.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2004

Unfortunately, studies bear out that the vast majority of people in the ER, do not need to be there. Depending on surveys, 70-80% could be handled easily by a fast track, or a first care clinic. Many of those sitting in the ER:

- Could have easily waited to see their MD

- Have had the presenting problem for a while, and could have presented to their own MD, but found it more important not miss the date/prom/work/party, thus delaying treatment and showing up at the ER instead.

- Have an illness, that requires rest, and OTC meds, and nothing more. Antibiotics do nothing for the flu or the common viral cold. So why come to the ER?

- If you are comfortable, you may return. We don't want you to return.

- If you are sick enough to be there, you will be too sick to complain or care about the surroundings. If you are that tuned into the surroundings, chances are your problem could have better been handled elsewhere.

- I have been sick in the ER waiting room. I passed out cold, with little blood pressure and a pulse of 150. I really didn't notice the floor being that uncomfortable, personally.

- Oversexed teenagers/bums/drunks/elderly will get it on anywhere. Two teenagers were baricading the door to the family room to have sex, despite explicit warnings to the contrary. Heck, on my last trip to the History Museum, several schools had field trips there - I found two teens dry humping in the ancient asian artifacts department, without even a bed. Sorry, I no longer have illusions about the stupidity that people pull in public places.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

And as a further comment, NURSES HAVE LITTLE TO NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FURNISHINGS OF A FACILITY!!!!!!

As such, please take your complaint to management. They control those issues not us.

TexasPoodleMix · Sep 16, 2004

My husband had a kidney stone once while we were on vacation and I was sooo uncomfortable in those hard chairs ! The whole thing lasted hours and hours on into the morning. A very nice nurse let me go sleep in an empty room. I was forever grateful :)