Is blood spurting? Go to ER. Someone has to stop that.
Are you numb or weak on one side of your body? Speaking word salad? Go to ER.
Does it feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest? Can’t breathe? Go to ER.
Mostly…that’s it.
Emergency Departments are for things that make you dead or permanently damaged…quickly.
One more time ~ EDs are for things that make you dead or permanently damaged in a very short time.
Read the words….EMERGENCY room…EMERGENCY department. This is not where you go when you have a sore throat or a mole that you are afraid is cancer.
Emergency departments are for heart attack, stroke, trauma—shooting, stabbing, motor vehicle accidents and such.
For the sore throat and the mole, visit your heathcare provider. And if you don’t have one, get one. Work with someone who can get to know you a little. Who can reassure you when you just need some education, diagnose and treat you when you have a real problem. Contrary to what you see on television, everything is not an emergency. Sometimes, many times, your healthcare provider is worth the wait.