We hear a lot of talk about when the emergency room is necessary. When it is – it is. But it’s so expensive, and it’s such a hassle. No one wants to end up there if you don’t have to be there!
One simple question has made it much easier for us to determine when to go and when to stay home.
What can/will they do that we cannot do at home?
I know; it seems almost too obvious. But you’d be surprised how often people go in for things that the ER cannot do anything about. Seriously, if you have a run-of-the-mill stomach virus, they’re really not going to do anything except push fluids. Won’t you be more comfortable drinking fluids at home? (The last thing I want to do if I’m experiencing gastrointestinal distress is leave the house!)
If you have a headache, can they really do anything besides give you painkillers? (Sure, if this is an ongoing problem, they might want to run tests to rule out any serious cause. But those tests can probably wait for a regular doctor’s visit which will be less hassle and less expensive.)
But if you suspect a broken bone – well, they can set it, and I’m guessing you can’t. (At the very least, that’s not something any of us wants to DIY unless circumstances force us into it!)
Don’t get the wrong idea, though. I’m not suggesting there’s a “right answer” or a “wrong answer” to the question above. It will be different for every situation. And as far as I’m concerned, “provide peace of mind” is a perfectly valid answer. I’ve made a couple of those trips, myself. (I have a history of ectopic pregnancy, so if I’m panicked that something might be that, they can run tests that will reassure me that nothing is going to rupture. The reduced stress is worth it to me.)
The point is to ask yourself the question, and only go in if you are convinced there is something they can offer that you can’t get at home (or can’t reasonably wait until later). The “what” may be different, depending on our family situation and our choices. I would not take a child in for the flu, because they can’t do anything I can’t that I would let them do. (Flu complications might be a different story.) But if you are comfortable with Tamiflu (I’m not; for one thing it’s been tied to suicidal tendencies in children but not been proven effective), then it might be worth it to you to go in and get a prescription.
1 Question to Avoid Unnecessary ER Visits is a post from: Titus 2 Homemaker
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