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Emergency department (ED). People go to the ED for many reasons, but the ED is not always the best place to seek care. Here are some examples of a medical emergency: *Bleeding that will not stop. *Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. *Confusion or difficulty waking up. *Chest pain. *Choking. *Coughing up or vomiting blood. *Fainting or loss of consciousness. *Feeling of committing suicide or murder. *Head or spine injury. *Severe or persistent vomiting. *Sudden injury due to an accident. *Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body. *Sudden dizziness, weakness, or change in vision. *Swallowing something poisonous. *Upper stomach pain or pressure.
If you are not sure what to do, and you don't have one of the serious conditions listed above, call your doctor. If the office is not open, your phone call may be forwarded to someone. Describe your symptoms to the doctor who answers your call, and find out what you should do. Treatment in an emergency department can cost 2 to 3 times more than the same care in your doctor's office.1 Once you arrive at an emergency room, you will be immediately evaluated. Life- or limb-threatening health problems will be treated first. People with less serious problems may have to wait.2 (1 When to use the emergency room - adult: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000593.htm. 2 Recognizing medical emergencies: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001927.htm) Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Comparing hospitals can help you spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering.
Tips / Checklist: If you do not have a regular doctor and you're not sure whether the situation is a true emergency, call 911. Let the call-taker determine whether you need emergency help. Put these numbers in your phone: *An emergency contact. *Your doctor. *The closest emergency department. *Nurse telephone advice line. *Urgent care clinic or walk-in clinic. Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Comparing hospitals can help you make better health care decisions for you and your loved ones.
How do hospitals in In My State perform on Emergency department (ED)? How long patients spent in the emergency department before being sent home: 149.6 minutes. How long patients spent in the emergency department before they were seen by a healthcare professional: 29.4 minutes.
WHY SHOULD YOU COMPARE? All hospitals are not the same. Some are better overall, some are not so good. Some do well in some areas of care but not in others. Comparing hospitals helps: Spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering. Make better health care decisions for you and your loved ones. Show you how hospitals you're considering perform in critical safety areas. Talking with your doctor shows you want to be a partner in your care. It also helps remind your care team to take certain actions to keep you as safe as possible. Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Find hospitals that perform best in the areas you care about.

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