So it’s a holiday weekend…
And you know what that means. I’m going to get flooded with calls from people who have had shoulder pain for 2 months and want something done about it NOW, people who have been on oxygen for years but didn’t have the foresight to call their O2 company to refill their canisters, and (a call I’ve already taken) the diabetic on an insulin pump, living in a rural area that doesn’t have 24 hour pharmacies, who now suddenly needs a refill.
I can understand an occasional bout of forgetfulness, but I don’t understand why minor allergy symptoms or a “catch in my knee” that has been going on for three months ALWAYS becomes a medical emergency during a holiday weekend for some people. These people are also the ones who complain the loudest about the wait in the emergency room.
Honey, if you waited for 6 weeks to SEEK medical attention, you can wait a couple of hours more while people who are really sick are taken care of.
And for everyone else who need prescriptions, oxygen, etc. — please plan ahead before holiday weekends.
There needs to be a course in college. Or high school. Called “Medical Emergencies 101″ And at the completion of this course, all people should be able to appropriately traige themselves and decide “Is this REALLY an emergency? Or can it wait until Tuesday when I can call my family doctor?” Usually, unless bones are sticking out, you feel like you have something sitting on your chest, your lips are blue, you are exsanguinating PROFUSELY at that very moment, or you are doubled over in pain, the answer is probably, “Why yes, I believe it would be much more cost efficient and in my best interest to wait until Monday when I can call my primary care physician.” I wish people would get this.
Comment by Hilary — Sunday, July 3, 2005 @ 6:20 pm
And that’s why I got out of the medical field. Got sick of episodes like the neighbor with the 1 yr old asthmatic who would knock on my door at midnight when her baby was having an asthma attack. “Did you try her nebulizer?” “I don’t know how to use it” Nice.
Comment by Julie — Sunday, July 10, 2005 @ 5:12 am