Have you or do you know someone that has used the Emergency Room for a visit that could have waited until the were evaluated in a doctor's office? I see this all the time, having worked in the ER as well as hearing many stories from friends and families i have been faced with both sides.
Recently, my friend went to the emergency room for a sore throat about 1 a.m., and she stated to me that she had to wait three hours to be told that she had a virus. Her prescription was to go home, drink fluids and rest. She was really upset not because of her instructions, but because of her lengthy time in the ER. I asked her if she had called her physician that day and her response was that she did not want to have to wait for an appointment so she thought she would get seen quicker in the ER especially if she went in the middle of the night.
My personal advice and professional opinion is unless you don't mind waiting sometimes countless hours for a non-emergent visit to the ER just wait until you are able to speak to your physician.
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