What was the MOST ridiculous thing a patient came to the ER for?

And did you have to treat them?

I am just curious. Your stories always seem to either crack me up or shake my head in amazement.

Thanks for sharing ?

Sometimes I really feel like one of those stupid people. :o We now have a $700 ER bill because I didn't know how serious my son's injury was. Just last month we were at a picnic. My son and another boy got into an argument and the other boy decided to settle it by cracking my son on the head with a metal broomstick. Ben (my son) came running to me, blood dripping down him. It was a head wound and there was just so much blood! We went to the ER where he ended up with 5 stitches! I didn't know it wasn't severe. If I had, I would have taken him to the pediatrician's office. They would most certainly have seen Ben and taken care of him with the same care that he was given in the ER (they were awesome, btw), and I would have been given a $70 bill instead of a $700 .:crying2: We have no insurance, so we are working out a payment arrangement with the hospital. I just feel so stupid, though. I can't wait to get to the part in my nursing training where I can rationally decide what is and isn't an emergency. I saw the blood and freaked. I know you all are talking about some pretty silly reasons to end up in the ER, but I feel just awful about my own decision that landed us in this situation. Do a lot of people who just need a few stitches end up in the ER, or is just me? Ugh!

Our ped sends facial (probably head wounds too) needing stitches to the ER anyway. So you probably would have ended up with two bills. The other kids mom needs to pay for part of the bill.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.
Sometimes I really feel like one of those stupid people. :o We now have a $700 ER bill because I didn't know how serious my son's injury was. Just last month we were at a picnic. My son and another boy got into an argument and the other boy decided to settle it by cracking my son on the head with a metal broomstick. Ben (my son) came running to me, blood dripping down him. It was a head wound and there was just so much blood! We went to the ER where he ended up with 5 stitches! I didn't know it wasn't severe. If I had, I would have taken him to the pediatrician's office. They would most certainly have seen Ben and taken care of him with the same care that he was given in the ER (they were awesome, btw), and I would have been given a $70 bill instead of a $700 .:crying2: We have no insurance, so we are working out a payment arrangement with the hospital. I just feel so stupid, though. I can't wait to get to the part in my nursing training where I can rationally decide what is and isn't an emergency. I saw the blood and freaked. I know you all are talking about some pretty silly reasons to end up in the ER, but I feel just awful about my own decision that landed us in this situation. Do a lot of people who just need a few stitches end up in the ER, or is just me? Ugh!

your not stupid, most docs would have sent him in for a CT anyway

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

Thank you all! Your info does make me feel better! :) Great site, too!

Btw, the other kids parents insisted on paying for the bill, but we refused, since the father just lost his job the month before. He has insisted on coming over and doing little odd jobs around the house for us, though. He is coming over this week to fix our kitchen plumbing, and he has already spread a load of gravel in our drive with his tractor. They have all been wonderful about this. :)

A mother brought her 7 yr old son to the ER to get a "certification tha she did not abuse her son" she said it is needed by the social worker. She asked me how she can get certified of not abusing her own son....anyways, the ER doc didnt give her nothing. But referred her to a her son's pediatrician, come to find out her son has never seen a pediatrician, so we had to find a pediatrician for him. I dont know what the mother was thinking.

A couple of teenage boys was playing with jungle knives and one got wounded in his ***. LOL

we would have sent him for a head ct if there were any loc, nausea, vomiting, or on gut feeling of any of the staff that thought he needed ct. anyway, i don't begrudge parents for bringing head lacs to the ER.

i begrudge the parent of the 12 y.o. that stepped on a nail last week and now she thinks he needs to be seen emergently by the doc. btw, can we have an excuse for the school that we where here today?

Thank you all! Your info does make me feel better! :) Great site, too!

Btw, the other kids parents insisted on paying for the bill, but we refused, since the father just lost his job the month before. He has insisted on coming over and doing little odd jobs around the house for us, though. He is coming over this week to fix our kitchen plumbing, and he has already spread a load of gravel in our drive with his tractor. They have all been wonderful about this. :)

That is so cool! If only the whole world operated like this...sigh! I'm glad everything's turning out okay for you!

We were so busy the other night 3 people in the wairing room eloped all at the same time with their very minor maladies, went across the street and called 9-1-1.

They were all taken off stretchers and sent out to the triage desk to sign in, and were followed by a police officer who gave them all citations for abusing EMS

Nice to know that people do the same type of crap...nationwide!!!

:rotfl:

Thank you all! Your info does make me feel better! :) Great site, too!

Btw, the other kids parents insisted on paying for the bill, but we refused, since the father just lost his job the month before. He has insisted on coming over and doing little odd jobs around the house for us, though. He is coming over this week to fix our kitchen plumbing, and he has already spread a load of gravel in our drive with his tractor. They have all been wonderful about this. :)

It is always nice when someone takes responsibility. I find that so many people out there say well s/he is just a kid. The parents are teaching their child a great lesson. Payment doesn't always have to equal money. Don't forget to ask the hospital about a cash pay discount. I know some do (although they don't advertise it).

Good luck.

Specializes in cardiac ICU.

This is a bit off-topic, but what about family members who come and hang out with Mom or whoever is being tx'd, then ask the dr. for a work excuse for themselves ? Duh.

Specializes in ER, ICU, L&D, OR.

Had a 16 yo girl brought to ER by her mother c/o Itchy Genitalia

I took the history without chuckling

mother then asked " Can you tell her she shouldnt shave down there"

I very carefully thought before answering

" I think I will let the Doctor handle this, Maam"

Someone who called and tried to make an appointment for the next day. We explained "This is the emergency room."

Person replied "I know. I don't want to wait, I want an appointment for tomorrow." We said, "Call the clinic."

We had a guy call and ask, " What time do you close?" The nurse replied, " We close at 11 but we will reopen at midnight," Hey, you ask a stupid question.... :rotfl:

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