What can we do to stop the over use and abuse of the Emergency Room?!
Question:
What can we do to stop the over use and abuse of the Emergency Room?
Everyday, we see people showing up in the ER with colds, hurt toes, very very minor things and get upset because the providers take care of the true emergencies-heart attacks, strokes, car wrecks etc. first. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that there are only so many doctors to take care of patients and the worst ones WILL get seen first.
How is the best way to educate people it is better to go to a clinic than to the ER? AND educate them that if they show up with something minor they WILL have to wait a long time?
Answers:
Use and abuse of ER services is commonplace.
The normal help seeking approach is usually misused by a lot of people. One reason is that it generally saves time for the care seeker, avoiding appointments and getting prompt attention even if it be for minor complaints.
On the other hand,some patients due to their perceptions of having a severe condition or impending catastrophe with fears of untimely death colored by family mishaps,watching popular soap operas,hearing from friends of medical afflictions,are prone to rush to the ER for re-assurance,ECG's, Oxygen ,intra-venous fluids etc
Public education by posters,clearly and concisely listing possible emergencies like severe injuries of burns, road traffic accidents,severe breathing difficulties,unstoppable bleedings etc.
An initial assessment followed by separation of genuine Emergencies from non -emergencies, a single dose for non emergency cases,after a suitable period of waiting so as to make it unattractive for the non emergency cases to frequent the ER, firmly but kindly after assessments to clearly indicate that their cases do not qualify for ER treatment .
Finally ,continuing efforts of educating the people by popular TV based commercials, Public hoardings,Community based orientations wherever possible.
ARE YOU MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ATTEND TO A REALLY LIFE THREATING SITUATION OF A FELLOW HUMAN BEING BY YOUR COMMON COLD OR SPRAIN?
Well designed posters at the clinics of GP's,Hospital emergencies Pharmacies could really help.