The emergency room is one of the most expensive units in the hospital. Modern emergency services are invaluable in trauma or life-threatening situations but are inefficient for routine care.
An emergency medical condition is one of recent onset and severity that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the absence of immediate medical attention could result in one of the following:
- Placing the health of the individual in serious jeopardy
- Serious impairment to bodily function
- Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part
More than half of all ER visits are for minor, nonurgent problems. These visits can be two to three times more expensive than a visit to the doctor’s office. Same-day appointments are usually available for urgent medical needs. Try first to see your doctor or talk with a member of his or her medical staff. Allow your doctor to decide if you should treat your symptoms with self-care, visit his or her office or go to the emergency room.
In case of a true emergency, go immediately to the emergency room. Call ahead to let them know you’re coming and notify your regular doctor, if possible. Your primary care doctor can provide the emergency room staff with important medical information.