ER and Emergency Services

Ethan Reyes2 · 2006-04-18T22:14:43+00:00

I’ve been wondering lately about what my actual rights are when it comes to using emergency services. In a place like NYC, there seems to be this general idea …

Sandra King86 Active Member

79 messages
joined Sep 2004

#101 · Apr 19, 2006

The state of our healthcare system is a total disaster.
I was talking to my cousin the other day—he’s a trauma surgeon—and he was telling me about this patient he just saw, half laughing and half just completely baffled.
Some old guy wandered into his trauma unit complaining about knee pain, the kind of pain he's been dealing with since he fell down as a kid back in the early '50s. 🤣

Honestly, mad respect to the doctors out there... they're all over the map, but you really need some serious guts to deal with us. 😁 😁

Ethan Reyes2 NewcomerOP

4 messages
joined Apr 2008

#102 · Apr 19, 2006

>>And if a doctor working those grueling 24-hour shifts ends up seeing a handful of people—say, maybe 10% of them—who clearly don't belong there, shouldn't they be told that, even if their tone isn't exactly sunshine and rainbows? I mean, let them face the embarrassment of being wrong rather than holding up the line for someone who is actually critically ill, especially when some patients just sit there in silence instead of having the strength to list all their symptoms.

It’s pretty obvious you haven't spent much time in an ER lately, because if you had, you’d know that lines don't really "get held up" in an emergency room. People aren't seen based on who showed up first; they're treated based on how urgent their situation is.

What kind of talk is that, about people being embarrassed?! And honestly, what makes you think you can just decide which 10% of people don't belong or don't have a right to walk into an ER? What, is it because 90% of people pay for health insurance and 10% don't? Is that how you see it?

Sandra King86 Active Member

79 messages
joined Sep 2004

#103 · Apr 19, 2006

Kimberly Wright said:'screw it, after reading all that crap in the article, they just have to hire me.' if nothing else—at least I'd save some cash on gas...

😂

crimsonpuma48 Member

28 messages
joined Apr 2006

#104 · Apr 19, 2006

Kimberly Wright said:I’m honestly asking these questions because I want to protect myself just in case I end up relying on someone's mercy again. It always seems to happen—random pains, breaks, allergic reactions—right when it's a holiday or a weekend.

As far as broken bones go during those times, Trauma is the way to go.
I rolled in on a Saturday afternoon, and there were only two people in the waiting room. As soon as my X-rays were done, I was patient number one. Within an hour—that’s all it took for blood work, chest scans, and getting my blood pressure checked for anesthesia—I was already on the table.
When I went in for my first follow-up on a regular weekday morning, that's when it hit me how much our people suffer, just left to wait, and wait,🙂,🙂 ...
Funny enough, there was a news segment on TV showing empty waiting rooms in Norway. Meanwhile, the papers were running stories about the chaos at Trauma, with people showing up at 8 AM and waiting until 3 PM just to be seen.
And no, I didn't pull any strings in five minutes.😈

Sandra King86 Active Member

79 messages
joined Sep 2004

#105 · Apr 19, 2006

Kimberly Wright said:what kind of humiliation are you even talking about here?! and seriously, how can you say 10% of people don't belong or shouldn't be allowed at the Emergency Room? what, does 90% of the population pay for Medicare and 10% doesn't? or something?

Don't take this personally, but all these "rights" (like everyone having the right to go to the ER and tell doctors how to do their jobs, etc.)... honestly, it just feels like getting in the way of doctors doing life-saving work. 🤔
I bet there could be laws against that too...

If you're feeling good enough to argue about which therapy works best for you or which tests you want—you don't belong in the ER. Just wait until Monday and see your family doctor... stop bothering patients who are actually in critical condition and the people trying to help them.

Ethan Reyes2 NewcomerOP

4 messages
joined Apr 2008

#106 · Apr 19, 2006

Sandra King86 said:Don't mean to sound aggressive, but all these supposed "rights"—like everyone thinking they can just waltz into the Emergency Room and dictate exactly how a doctor should do their job—it honestly feels more like an interference with medical professionals trying to perform life-saving work. 🤔
I suppose there might be a way for the law to step in and address that too.

Well, that sounds perfect, actually; that’s exactly what I’m looking for—the legal side of things. Does anyone know what the actual statutes say regarding Emergency Room protocols?

crimsonpuma48 Member

28 messages
joined Apr 2006

#107 · Apr 19, 2006

Rachel Brooks63 said:At first, nobody actually knew what the deal was. People were just coming after Susan Martin24 because she's got a sharp tongue, not even because of this specific mess.

If Kimberly Wright had just laid out the facts instead of going off on some theoretical rant about "rights" and fighting for them, half this thread wouldn't even exist...

What would we even have to read or talk about then?😕

Ethan Reyes2 NewcomerOP

4 messages
joined Apr 2008

#108 · Apr 19, 2006

Sandra King86 said:Don't take this the wrong way, but when people start claiming these absolute "rights"—like everyone having the right to storm into the Emergency Room and dictate exactly how a doctor should do their job—it feels less like a right and more like they're just getting in the way of professionals doing critical work. 🤔

To me, this whole situation feels a bit like those little warning stickers you see on the subway cars that say, 'Please do not distract the operator while the train is in motion.' I don't know, maybe you're overthinking it too,

Sandra King86 Active Member

79 messages
joined Sep 2004

#109 · Apr 19, 2006

Kimberly Wright said:this just reminds me of those warning signs on the subway—you know, "do not obstruct the driver"... maybe you're tripping

One of us is.
😁😁

Honestly, I have no clue what's going on with you or what your deal is (maybe you actually dealt with something serious), but if you were rushed to the Emergency Room unconscious after a car wreck, or had an open forearm fracture, or were literally having a heart attack... I'm afraid you wouldn't even realize what the ER was actually doing for you. But like this...🤣

crimsonpuma48 Member

28 messages
joined Apr 2006

#110 · Apr 19, 2006

Kimberly Wright said:It’s pretty obvious you haven’t stepped foot in an Emergency Room lately. If you had, you’d know they don't "stop the lines" there. In the ER, people get treated based on how critical they are, not who showed up first.

What kind of embarrassment are you even talking about, lady?! And tell me—what makes you think you know which 10% of people don't belong or don't have the right to walk into an ER? What, does 90% of the population pay for health insurance while 10% doesn't? Is that your logic?

Luckily, I don't spend much time hanging out in emergency rooms, but my experience tells me the most urgent cases are usually the ones with connections. 😈
Even with regular scheduled appointments, you can't just expect things to run perfectly on time like some textbook scenario. 🙂

silentmason15 Member

13 messages
joined Jan 2007

#111 · Apr 19, 2006

Personally, I think dexamethasone is a solid way to go. I mean, why would anyone be breaking out in hives if they’ve had their shots within the last five years? Besides, we're talking about an insect bite here, not some jagged piece of glass or a rusty nail you stepped on in a dirt lot. Honestly, the only reason I was asking what they gave him was because I had a hunch, and if this is the call, I say it makes sense. Look, Susan Martin24, don't come at me—I'm just a lowly plumber, and I really don't have the energy for a fight since I can be a total jerk when I want to be. Plus, I actually respect your experience 😈😬

Susan Martin24 Active Member

79 messages
joined Apr 2006

#112 · Apr 19, 2006

Man, listen, silentmason15, if you say it’s all good, then I’m not even worried about it. 🙏 🙏 🙏

Let's all just grab our own little dose of Dexamethasone and call it a day. 🎉 🎉 🎉

Dexamethasone Tzar rules !!!!😬 😍 🤣 😁

Justin Fox Active Member

110 messages
joined Jan 2006

#113 · Apr 19, 2006

Susan Martin24 said:I’m not getting paid to smile at people—not that my patients smile at me, nor would it ever cross my mind to ask them to—or to act like some flight attendant. My job is to treat them to the best of my ability.

Dear Susan, don't you think psychology is actually part of the healing process? Building trust, giving a patient the confidence that you're doing what's best for them? You seem to want to boil everything down to chemistry and procedures, as if just handing out pills fixes everything. What about how the patient feels? Does it matter to you if you're irritating them or driving them crazy, or if you're actually calming them down? Do you really not care about that?

Is this approach right? Personally, I don't think so. If you ignore psychological support, you're failing as a physician. With an attitude like that, you might be a decent vet or a technician, but you aren't practicing medicine for human beings.

Justin Fox Active Member

110 messages
joined Jan 2006

#114 · Apr 19, 2006

maliciousintent said:try looking here (or just reach out to them)

I find this poorly drafted.

Article 14 ...
Patient consent isn't required if failing to perform a specific procedure or intervention
A) seriously threatens health or physical safety of others, including a fetus after the 24th week of pregnancy, and
...

It feels like this opens the door to all sorts of questionable calls during pregnancy. You could have Doctor A deciding an intervention is vital for health, while Doctor B thinks it’s totally unnecessary. In that scenario, a patient caught in Doctor A's grip loses their right to choose. They end up being forced into a procedure they don't want and don't trust. That's fundamentally wrong.

The other piece of deep shit is Article 6 (1.2)

During the provision of healthcare, a patient's personal liberties and rights may be restricted (via physical, chemical, biological, or psychological methods or procedures) only in cases of emergency or to protect the life, physical safety, and health of the patient or others. Such restrictions cannot be punitive and should only last as long as the underlying cause requires. An advocate for patient rights must be notified of such measures as soon as possible (no later than 16 hours), where available.

What kind of nonsense is this regarding restricting personal freedom for "health protection"? According to this, a patient could be restrained or sedated based purely on the judgment of a doctor or nurse (see the points mentioned earlier). This goes beyond the bounds of reason.

Susan Martin24 Active Member

79 messages
joined Apr 2006

#115 · Apr 19, 2006

Justin Fox, sweetie, listen—I’m a surgeon, not some therapist.

And since Medicare is the one footing my bills, they set pretty strict time limits on my shifts. That means if I have a patient come in with a nasty forearm laceration, I have to clean them up, stitch them up, and get them set in a splint all within a 20-minute window. 😂

There just isn't any time to sit around chatting over coffee... or even enough time to drive them a little crazy. 🙄

Honestly, you might want to come down from your high horse and actually spend some time walking through an ER in Germany or right here in the States... or maybe just watch an episode of "ER"... that might give you a better idea of how this works. 😈

Back in the day, when I was sprinting to strip off my gloves and flying from one OR to the next, jumping from one suture to another because there were fights breaking out or car accidents coming in, I just didn't have the luxury of being super sweet and charming. And I'll admit, my mascara tends to smudge sometimes when I've been wearing a mask and goggles for hours and I accidentally rub my eyes (even though I use Diorshow). 🎉

Btw, people are judging me for no reason. You've never even seen me in action... and honestly, you haven't even heard me. 😂

Oh, and yeah... see? Even being this "mean" and uncommunicative, I still find the time to drop by and give advice via DM now and then. 😬

Susan Martin24 Active Member

79 messages
joined Apr 2006

#116 · Apr 19, 2006

Rachel Brooks63, call me a liar if you want—but Justin Fox is back at it again, bringing up the whole pregnancy topic! 🙂 🙂

Sandra King86 Active Member

79 messages
joined Sep 2004

#117 · Apr 20, 2006

silentmason15 said:dexamethasone is actually a solid way to go. I mean, why would anyone need ANA-TE if they’ve been vaccinated within the last five years? Besides, it’s just an insect bite—not like someone stepped on a rusty nail or some glass in the dirt... anyway, that's why I was asking what they gave him because I suspected that was the case, and honestly, it seems fine to me. Susan Martin24, please don't come at me—I'm just a lowly plumber, and I really don't want to argue since I can be a total jerk... plus, I actually respect your experience😈.😬

🙏

I'm telling you, in this country, you need some serious guts to be a doctor. 🤣

Jose Miller3 Regular

446 messages
joined Mar 2024

#118 · Apr 20, 2006

Justin Fox said:I feel like this just opens the door to all sorts of sketchy decisions during pregnancy—where Doctor A thinks a certain procedure is absolutely vital for health, but Doctor B thinks it's totally unnecessary. If a patient ends up under Doctor A's care instead of actually having the choice to decide if they want the procedure or not, they can be forced into something they don't even believe in... which is honestly just wrong.

Justin, buddy... were you trying to sneak in another mention of episiotomies between the lines there?

🤣

God, you're obsessed. Seriously, go get some help—find yourself a really good therapist... 🤣

Scott Allen10 Regular

315 messages
joined Jun 2005

#119 · Apr 20, 2006

Honestly, looking at this bug, they really should have hit the Emergency Room first... but let's be real, our ERs are mostly just a joke when it comes to actual expertise. Most of the doctors working there look like they barely graduated med school yesterday, just spinning their wheels until they stumble onto something specialized. It’s such a weird paradox because, logically, you’d think an ER would be staffed by seasoned pros who actually know how to triage and pull the right moves at the right time.
Maybe some future specialization within the ER will fix things, but we're talking way down the road for that.
Right now, we're stuck with these morbid scenarios where doctors who aren't even remotely competent are working in such high-stakes environments, and honestly, the best thing for the patient is for them to get rushed straight to a hospital immediately—even if the cause seems totally banal and easily fixable. I know, it’s definitely not the most efficient way to run a healthcare system, but that's just how it is....
It gets even more tragic when you deal with genuine emergencies. Since I work in an institution that handles cases coming in from five or six different ERs, I can say with total confidence that doctors and medical techs alike could easily end up facing serious prison time for their mistakes. We all get that collective chill down our spines whenever a call comes in saying a specific ambulance is bringing in a critical case, because you just never know what kind of chaos you're about to walk into.
The way some ER crews operate is basically like some low-rent thugs with Tamić—just grab the guy, toss him inside, and dump him at the hospital—who cares if he can breathe or needs oxygen? Or heaven forbid, actually needs an IV line? Screw it, they'll just shove him through a window, throw on some dark shades, and call it a day.
My apologies in advance to the ER staff out there doing everything by the book, but I truly believe that those people are just a tiny bit of wheat in a massive sea of chaff.

Jose Miller3 Regular

446 messages
joined Mar 2024

#120 · Apr 20, 2006

Are you really picking on David Harris44 like that?

Don't do it—he's an admin, and if you get him riled up, you won't be around much longer...😬

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