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

Specialties Emergency Nursing Q/A

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 ?

Specializes in ER.
There is a copay but most places don't bother to collect it because it causes more problems. One example ED visits are a $3 copay after MSE but only one hospital collects it. The other hospital does full work up and doesn't ask for copay. Guess who gets all the MDCD patients? Yes, I have seen it first hand. Patients say that's why they chose one hospital.[/quote']

I suppose as someone stated that it depends on the state. It's very rare for our Medical patients to have a copay. Granted I work in a hospital in which all the patients have Tricare, and our hospital doesn't collect money for the most part.

A guy who had stomach pain, upon xray we saw 12 oddly shaped things in abd. He then told us he liked to swallow barbie heads cause the hair felt good on the way out and he had obstructed. I swear some people have just lost their minds!

Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
I think it would depend on the state....

morte is correct - though Medicaid is a federal HHS/CMS program, it is administered by the individual 50 states.

ER use (demonstrated in multiple studies to be much higher per capita among Medicaid recipients than among the uninsured, those with private insurance, or Medicare recipients) is a perfect example of the "law" of unintended consequences. Many states have legislated that Medicaid recipients cannot be charged even a nominal copay for an ER visit (on the argument that it is "discriminatory") but charge a $2 - $5 copay for office visits. So ... if you have Medicaid ... will you go see your PCP ... or go to the ER? Hmm.

In our ER we write many, many scripts for Tylenol & Ibuprofen, so that the patient has no out of pocket cost.

Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

I personally hate it when pts walk from the ambulance with positive luggage sign....sigh I just know they're really sick...

Pimple on forehead.

Specializes in ER.

I work in a pediatric ER and I had a parent say to me "this dr was really good. Can we come back to get my son's we check-up?"

O.M.G.

A guy who had stomach pain, upon xray we saw 12 oddly shaped things in abd. He then told us he liked to swallow barbie heads cause the hair felt good on the way out and he had obstructed. I swear some people have just lost their minds!

LOL! This one for the WIN!!!!!!!!!

That exact scenario was on Grey's Anatomy......

That exact scenario was on Grey's Anatomy......

Yea I noticed that, too. Hmmm

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
That exact scenario was on Grey's Anatomy......

That's where I saw it! Thanks, that was driving me nuts. Lol

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

Oh things they they try. You could write a book or two.

A guy who had stomach pain, upon xray we saw 12 oddly shaped things in abd. He then told us he liked to swallow barbie heads cause the hair felt good on the way out and he had obstructed. I swear some people have just lost their minds!

I knew a homeless mentally ill man who would eat Barbie heads. He died 15 years ago.

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