How to Know When to Go to the ER

How to Know When to Go 2,2222 2,2222 to the ER 2222 Emergency Knowing when a condition is serious enough to warrant a visit to your hospital's emergency room is vital information. 17% You can prevent an unnecessary and costly trip to the ER by knowing when it is appropriate to go, or whether you can opt for a trip to an urgent care center or family physician instead. Percentage of ER visits that are not necessary, leading to $4.4 billion in avoidable costs: When to Take Your Infant to the ER: It is best to first contact your doctor through their on-call number in order to gauge the seriousness of the situation. Changes in skin color (turning pale, yellow, or mottled) their normal cry Changes in Changes in sleeping patterns, hard to wake In babies under 3 months old, if their temperature is over 100.3° F In babies 3+ months old, if their temperature is over 105° F Changes in muscle tone, or they feel different (slow, labored) Breathing changes If your baby turns blue When to Take Your Child to the ER: If your child has difficulty breathing, signs include: If your child has a fever and Call 911 immediately if your a stiff neck, dehydration, or a condition that makes them more susceptible to infections is difficult to rouse • child has a fever and stops breathing, has a seizure, or O Breathing faster than normal O Visible ribs or collarbone when breathing in If your child has ingested a toxic chemical or a medication that was not prescribed to them ... .. O The belly moving when breathing in O The nostrils moving outward when breathing in outward ...... If your child has a broken bone, a bone that looks out of place or is obviously deformed, an open wound where a bone may be broken, or if your child reports that the area feels numb, tingling, or weak Blue lips or tongue When to Go to the ER as an Adult Loss of consciousness Signs of a heart attack lasting two minutes or more include: The decision to go to the ER becomes easier as an adult, because you are the one afflicted understand the seriousness of the situation. Pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest Bleeding that does not stop Sudden, and Sudden dimness or loss of vision, after ten min of severe pain • direct pressure tightness, burning, or aching under the breastbone Signs of a stroke, which include: Chest pain with lightheadedness Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body Poisoning Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye Call your local poison control center first and ask for immediate home treatment Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech A major injury, such as a head A severe reaction to an Sudden, severe headaches with no known advice. trauma insect bite/sting cause Certain poisons should be vomited, others should be diluted with water Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls, especially when paired with other stroke symptoms Drowsiness Severe Shortness of Breath unexplained stupor, or disorientation Homicidal or persistent vomiting suicidal feelings Severe or Bad Reasons to Go to the ER The following are situations that are self-treatable or where urgent care or a doctor's visit would be appropriate: Back pain (#1 reason for ER visits as of 2008) Sprains Minor cuts Headaches Rash, unless MRSA is Insect stings (unless breathing is impaired) Sunburns Fevers or minor burns suspected Toothaches (urgent care is usually the better choice if your dentist's office is closed) Chest pain not accompanied by nausea, sweating, or shortness of breath, or a history Cold/flu symptoms, unless w/ fainting, frequent diarrhea, changes in vision, chest pressure, or frequent vomiting of diabetes or heart disease STDS and STD Ear ache complications Provided by: top-nursing-programs.com Sources http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/unnecessary-trips-to-hospital-er-cost-44-billion-study-finds/10504 http://www.ivillage.com/what-temperature-should-i-take-my-baby-emergency-room/4-n-190657 http://www.todaysparentusa.com/site/2011/11/when-to-take-your-baby-to-the-er-top-five-red-flags/ http://www.dukehealth.org/health_library/advice_from_doctors/your_childs_health/when_to_take_your_child to_the_emergency_department http://www.editorsweb.org/wellness/emergency-room.htm http://www.editorsweb.org/wellness/emergency-room.htm http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/surgeries-procedures/10-common-reasons-for-er-visit1.htm ....... ..... ........ ........... ........ ............. ..... ........ ........ ....... . ...... .. •....