ER Prep Skills
Worrying about the do’s and don’ts when you’re sitting in an emergency room may not seem like a priority, but following a few points to be respectful can make for a smoother visit.
- Care for your neighbors. Silence your cellphone and if possible, step outside to take a call. Remember to cover your cough, and use a tissue when you sneeze.
- Honesty is the best policy. Exaggerating your symptoms, even a little, can complicate the diagnostic process and lead to an unnecessarily longer visit. If your symptoms worsen after check-in, notify the nurse or front desk staff immediately.
- Understand the system. Patients are treated based on the severity of their symptoms or suspected condition and not by order of arrival.
When you need immediate care, you don’t always have time to pack a hospital bag. That’s why it’s important to prep for an emergency room (ER) visit before an emergency strikes.
Take this quiz to see if you’re ready to navigate a trip to the ER:
1. Which are among the most common reasons people seek emergency care?
A: Abdominal and chest pain
B: Broken bones and fractures
C: Shortness of breath
D: Headaches
E: All of the above
2. What day of the week is busiest in the ER?
A: Saturday
B: Sunday
C: Monday
D: Wednesday
3. Before leaving for the ER, you should bring how many pieces of important health information?
A. 5
B: 4
C: 3
1. E — All of the above
Reasons to call 911 include shortness of breath, chest pain, uncontrollable bleeding or fractures where the broken bone has punctured the skin.
2. C — Monday
ERs see the most traffic on Mondays, due in part to patients thinking they could “sleep off” weekend ailments or injuries. The hours between 12 and 10 p.m. are also busy, while 4 to 9 a.m. is usually quiet.
3. B — 4
Before heading for the ER, make sure you have:
- a copy of your photo ID and insurance card
- a list of current medications, drug allergies, chronic medical conditions and any recent medical procedures you’ve had
- contact information for your relatives and doctor
- a copy of your living will or healthcare proxy (if applicable)
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