Quote:
Originally Posted by 57ChevyFI
Let me get this straight--you went to an EMERGENCY ROOM for a broken toe? I'm sorry it happened, but Broken TOE? You waited ONE HOUR for an X-ray? Then another HOUR for a doctor to come in?
Let me assure you this: The average wait time for ANY emergency is actually longer- you could do your research for that as well to verify. Since you have been on staff for the American College of Emergency Physicians and have a well rounded medical family-you should be aware that you were in fact NOT A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Unless you are on a blood thinner and your TOE is cut off or blue numb tip of toe--it is NOT an emergency for your toe to be deformed due to trauma. I am sure to you the deformity alone was alarming-but while your neighboring Villager was having a stroke, heart attack or inability to breathe without life saving interventions, your X-RAY is LAST on the list in the line waiting. You are a ESI-LEVEL 4. See example below how Emergency Room's triage on ESI LEVEL.
"From a clinical standpoint, ESI level 4 and 5 patients are stable and can wait several hours to be seen by a provider. However, from a customer service standpoint, these patients are perhaps better served in a fast-track or urgent care area. Mid-level practitioners with the appropriate skills mix and supervision could care for level-4 and level-5 patients. With ESI, level-5 patients can sometimes be "worked in" for a quick exam and disposition by the provider, even if the department is at capacity. Often triage policies clearly state ESI level-4 or -5 patients can be triaged to an urgent care or fast-track area. "
Site: Chapter 4. ESI Levels 3-5 and Expected Resource Needs | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
I certainly hope that you discussed why the doctor did not attempt to reset your toe before you left the ER. No patient is ever denied care by law and if you believe your care was negligent, certainly you have a right to pursue and have a hearing for your case. I find it comical that you believe that once the doctor found out you were from out of state, she did not attempt to reset your toe on that sole fact you were not a resident. You think the doctor is what--anti- SNOW BIRD? Really? How many out of state patients do you think go through the hospital? The doctor was probably not even a resident here either for goodness sake.
I think your comment about people dying for being incompetent and the "family" needs to step in- is extreme for someone upset their toe wasn't reset by an emergency room physician and waited two hours for treatment. Why did it take so long to get an orthopedic appointment, if it was still an EMERGENCY to get set in place, why are you not considering suing the Orthopedic MD too-because they neglected to take you first thing Wednesday AM when they opened.
For those who will drive 30 minutes for shorter ER times, consider waiting on talking to your own physician since you are obviously not having an emergency-if you have time to drive that far safely. Most doctors have on-call service and someone will call you back after hours and can give advice on what to do before you go searching for an emergency room with shorter wait times. If you are having a true emergency remember dial 9-1-1 and help will assist you the fastest. |
Your post is very good, and largely accurate. However, there is one point I would like to correct. A patient MAY legally be denied care by an ER. Only a truly emergent patient MUST be provided care (or a woman in active labor). If, upon a brief evaluation by a trained medical professional (doctor or nurse) during triage, a patient is determined to have a non-emergent condition, the patient may be referred to a lesser level of care.
Most hospitals, as a practical matter, shy away from turning patients away because of public relations. But it is legal to do so. In some communities it is done as a matter of practice due to excessive ER volume, and in order to keep an ER open to true emergency patients. How do I know this - I paid $$$$$ for excellent attorneys to render an opinion and develop the policy/procedure for this. Then I submitted them to CMS for review - CMS agreed they were consistent with the law.