Blog suggestions lead to ER

From my last blog, I received whole bundles of ideas, but only one article that I would have been able to put on here. That was even more disappointing than opening a cereal box only to discover that the free toy is actually a plastic pink pony instead of the green Power Ranger.       

However, I did receive many interesting ideas about people who complain too much (I chose not to use that one because all I do in this blog is complain) all the way to how much hair one’s body produces.

But, the idea that pulled at my heart strings the most, the idea that just had to be put on paper, was emergency rooms – especially since they are about as useful as jelly without peanut butter in the case of an actual emergency. (Who really uses jelly for anything other than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches anyway?)

I went to the emergency room one time for a sprained ankle. It wasn’t that big of an emergency, but the pain was sincere. Nevertheless, I sat in that emergency room for four hours. FOUR HOURS! That is a quite a long time to be sitting in pain, not sure if you will lose your leg or not.

Also, there was an older guy sitting next to me that had fallen out of his tree stand while hunting. He looked like he was in pretty bad shape, probably as good a shape as the lucky socks you wore for 485 days in a row. But that poor guy sat next to me for at least an hour and a half. Also, when they finally took him inside to check him out, he came right back out on a stretcher because they needed to life flight him. Now, if his condition was that serious that he needed to be life flighted, shouldn’t he have been life flighted, oh, I don’t know, like when he got there?

Furthermore, some of the questions they ask in the emergency room seem somewhat pointless. Such as, how bad does it hurt? It obviously hurts pretty badly or I wouldn’t have come to the emergency room to sit in the quality chairs that make me feel as if I’m lying on a bed of nails. Or, when did it happen? Unless you are just stupid and thought your broken hand from falling down the stairs would heal with a good night’s rest and some chicken soup, it probably happened just now – otherwise, it wouldn’t be that much of an emergency.

Lastly, they should really get some better service around those places. When I went to the ER, I had to hobble on a mangled leg the whole way from my car into the emergency room. Then, once I was inside and had used every ounce of energy I had left, they asked me if I needed a wheelchair – as if I would want to sit in one of those uncomfortable torture machines for four hours.

[comments] 

Posted by "Jacob Iellimo" on December 2, at 5:59 p.m.

Mr. Rez, I know exactly what you mean. I sat in the emergency room for three hours after dislocating my shoulder. I could not even lift my arm and they tried to make me fill out papers. I just don't understand how its called the ER because they don't treat anything like an emergency.

Posted by "Kiersten Horrell" on May 13, at 5:40 p.m.

Emergency rooms definitely grind my gears too. You show up on your death bed and then they expect you to fill out four hours worth of paper work before they send you to your room. Once you're in your room, you might as well count on waiting another four hours to visit with the doctor. I am better off treating myself at home.

Posted by "tom dubovi" on May 12, at 10:29 a.m.

I use jelly on my toast, Dan! But back to the ER, I've been to the ER a few times and had long wait times. You should try to go to the Emergency Care Center in New Kensington. It is much faster.

Posted by "Matt Grantz" on May 11, at 10:42 p.m.

Well Dan, I have to say I was somewhat concerned about your health when I read your latest blog's title. Then I actually read the blog and was left with a question...

What is wrong with you? Jelly is far superior to the peanut butter scourge.

After getting past that, I've got to agree with your overall point about ERs and congratulate you on yet another great blog.

Posted by "Tom Kelley" on May 11, at 9:38 a.m.

My grandpa was working in his garage, slipped and cut the underside of his arm (where you can see those veins). Well, he drove himself to the hospital with a towel wrapped around his arm, told the nurse he needed a doctor and why. Then she said, "Sir, if your injuries are as bad as you say, you wouldn't be this calm, OR have driven yourself here." He said, "Really?" And to prove his point he took off the towel and as he did that, blood shot up the wall and across the nurse. She screamed and yelled for a doctor while my grandpa calmly put the towel back around his arm.

Posted by "Paula McCorkle" on May 7, at 2:56 p.m.

Dan, I totally agree with you on this one! I sprained an ankle once playing softball, which really wasn't too bad of an emergency considering half of the other people I saw in the waiting room. Anyway, I sat in there for an eternity! What was worse was when I got into the actual room -- I had to wait forever for a doctor. I'm pretty sure my ankle was healed by the time the doctor got to me...

Posted by "Kyle Snyder" on May 7, at 2:16 p.m.

Dan, this was a great article. I am glad that I brought this idea to your attention and that you made it into a great article on TrottyVeck.

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