The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that the majority of the 300,000 daily visits to US emergency rooms each day are unnecessary. When emergency rooms are overused not only are the waiting times for people who really do need emergency care lengthened, but the cost to everyone for the use of the emergency room when it really is needed, goes up.
The public should be aware of when a symptom requires emergency care, and when a trip to a primary care physician is all that is required. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) explains that everyone benefits when emergency rooms are reserved just for emergencies; people who are seriously ill, or injured, and need immediate attention from specially trained doctors.
Some, but not all, indications of a medical emergency are:
- Impaired breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest pain; upper abdominal pain; or pressure which lasts at least two minutes
- Unexplained sudden faintness, weakness or dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Sudden impaired vision or dimness
For a complete list of symptoms of a medical emergency, check here.
Josyann Abisaab, MD, is an emergency room physician at Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
