I agree with everything you said, with one caveat:
Get to the nearest ER that can STABILIZE that condition. Many many strokes, cardiac events, and other medical emergencies are not initially recognized as such.
An urgent care will call 911 and say "we're not equipped to handle this."
Meanwhile, a Freestanding ER **IS** equipped to handle anything that walks in the doors.
My wife's Freestanding ER has handled gunshots, stabbings, cardiac arrests, major traumas, and numerous other things. They stabilize and then transport. Those patients would not have survived if they had decided to go to a further away hospital.
If you suspect a real, serious medical emergency, call 911. If you are driving to the ER, go to the closest one regardless of whether it's a freestanding or a hospital-based ER.
All the staff are real ER-qualified nurses and doctors. My wife's staff rotate between her freestanding ER and the main ER at the hospital.
For minor injuries and illnesses, then yes, make you choice based on preferred system/network.
Personally, I think freestanding ERs provide exceptional care, especially for minor issues that will have you waiting for hours at the main ER.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmpate
The most important decision in my humble opinion in a truly life saving emergency is to get the person to the nearest ER that can manage that condition, NOT bypassing EDs so one (the patient) can get to their preferred hospital.
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