"Good Housekeeping" Got the ED Nurse's Message

Published

About 5 years ago, Good Housekeeping came out with an article about what to do and say when you go to the ED. OMne of the "helpful tips" was "Call ahead and let them know that you are coming in so they can get to you faster." Another one was "Tell the triage nurse that your pain started less than 4 hours old regardless of the time when it started. The result was a barrage of letters from nurses telling them this was not the right thing to say... putting it mildly.

Well, apparently GH got the message because in the March 2010 issue (I forgot which page it's on) they state: Do not bug the triage nurse. Let him or her concentrate on the most serious and sick patients so that they will get to you. This is a loose quote, but I'm glad that they got the message and that they are listening! :yeah:

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Specializes in ER, education, mgmt.

Love the call ahead advice! Umm, this is not Chili's. We do not do call ahead seating.

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Specializes in Med Surg/Tele/ER.

Oh please call ahead ....so I can throw out the cp,stroke,traumas....geezh!:uhoh3:

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I know my Dr Called ahead once due to me being so ill, just to let them know I was at the office and needed to be treated right away.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.
I know my Dr Called ahead once due to me being so ill, just to let them know I was at the office and needed to be treated right away.

Different situation.

Id love to read the initial article id anyone knows where to find it. I need a laugh.. :p

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Different situation.

Id love to read the initial article id anyone knows where to find it. I need a laugh.. :p

I can't remember the exact month that the original article was posted. I KNOW it was 2005 and I'm pretty sure it was late 2005, such as October or November.

I'm glad that they saw the light and listened... it only took them 5 years to do it! :p

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Specializes in ICU.

Wow. Well I had to do some research and see this article.

I figured out it was Good Housekeeping November 2005, and the article is called "What doctors wish you knew...75 surprising tips--from heading off a headache to avoiding a heart attack".

This is one tip a physician gave:

"Get better care in the hospital by supplying the staff with treats. Offer individually wrapped cookies or chocolates, or little packets of nuts."

Insulting much??

And I'm sorry, but if the reason you're coming to the ED is a TRUE EMERGENCY, I'm guessing you don't have time to stick packs of "individually wrapped cookies" in your purse to hand out.

Here's another article I read about this article that goes into more detail:

Good Housekeeping Tip No. 76

Sigh. :uhoh3:

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Thank you, JoyfulRN for posting that!

Plus, here's where it was first discussed in this forum on allnurses, when the article first came out in 2005.

In the new Good Housekeeping... - Nursing for Nurses

I haven't had a chance to re-read all of the thread, but I like the first one that was posted here:

"In the hospital, designate a friend or relative to ask questions or complain. That way, you won't be viewed as a "problem patient" which can often mean less attention from the staff"

Very insulting. Like the staff doesn't notice who's with who, especially with anyone who is being annoying? Better hope that the family member or friend you designate with your complaints doesn't need ED care anytime soon. ED people tend to have astounding memories for people.

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Specializes in Cardiology, ER, Hospice, Pediatrics.

If you can drive to the emergency room from your regular MD's office you are waiting. If it is that urgent you would have been sent in an ambulance -- Unless your PMD is a tard.

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If you can drive to the emergency room from your regular MD's office you are waiting. If it is that urgent you would have been sent in an ambulance -- Unless your PMD is a tard.

Actually he was right across the parking lot, and no he was not a tard. This actually upsets me you lumping all doctors together, much like many people do RNs I wait, and was not pushed ahead. But I did go south while in holding a hour later and had to be rushed back area.

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