After learning of the death of Brazilian, here in Texas, I talked with my neighbor who works in an ER, this is her advice below.
I think this advise is good anywhere in the world!
My questions were:
1 – It is better to go by car or ambulance, if you have an hospital emergency?
R: If you have shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, are bleeding a lot, or feel mentally different, call 911. Otherwise, someone can take you.
2 – What do we have to have at hand, in this situation?
R: All your medical information, in addition to your insurance card. Also a list of all the medication that you’re using, including the natural remedies.
3 – Do you have a suggestion as how to be attended to faster?
R: If the situation is “critical, go between 4 and 9 am. Otherwise patients are treated according to the seriousness of the situation or the state of the disease.
4 – What is the best way you fight for yourself there?
R: Never be rude. People are already work under too much stress and also never exaggerate symptoms or lie. This only makes things worse for you.
5 – And if you are getting worse there?
R: Talk to the nurse in charge and ask to check to have your temperature, pressure checked again etc.
6 – What do you do if the doctors want to send you send you home and you don’t feel you should go?
R: Ask to have your case checked again… If you still disagree, ask to speak to the ‘patient advocate’, that is there to mediate.
I love the program “THE DOCTORS” on NBC, there learned that:
People who work in the ER of a hospital are:
1 – Receptionist, who has nothing to do with medicine, only takes your information.
2 – Triage Nurse, who takes your pressure, temperature and decides your place on the waiting list, according to the severity of the case.
3 – Registration clerk, one that walks around taking personal information from you and gives you a bracelet with identification.
4 – Head Nurse, is the one that will send you for tests and perhaps will give you medicine.
5 – Emergency physician – the one who walks back and forth like a waiter.
6 – Patient advocate, a social worker, is the one who goes back and forth also, making sure that no patient is without care.
I confess. I like the place, I like the people, the considerate, gentle and polite service. I like the ‘spirit of the place’ and the sensation of so much I can learn there on those shelves from the great minds and thinkers.
