Stat! Top Reasons People Need ER Care

STAT! TOP REASONS PEOPLE NEED ER CARE THE NUMBERS BEHIND ER CARE IN THE U.S. 129.8 million visits annually 37.9 million injury-related visits 42.8 out of 100 people the ER go each year 25.1% receive treatment in under 15 13.3% are admitted to the hospital minutes 10 COMMON COMPLAINTS HEARD IN THE ER 10. 1. Chest pain 2. Abdominal pain 3. 5. 8. 3. Toothache 1. 6. 4. Sprain/broken bone 4. 5. Upper respiratory infection 9. 6. Cut/contusion 2. 7. 7. Back pain 8. Skin infection 9. Foreign object in body 10. Headache UNDERSTANDING ER CARE – TRIAGE Triage: Ranking cases by urgency Patients with life-threatening emergencies are seen first Less urgent cases may wait Example: Patient with chest pain will be seen before a patient with a sprain TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST FROM ER CARE 1. DON'T WAIT! • Don't try to wait out symptoms If in doubt, go to the ER or call 9-1-1 911 2. PREPARE IF YOU CAN Bring a list of current medications and someone to support you • But don't put off urgent care to gather items in an emergency! 3. VISIT AN OFF-SITE EA • Off-site ERs have shorter wait times An off-site ER is fully staffed and equipped 4. FOLLOW AFTERCARE INSTRUCTIONS Slick to discharye treatment plan • See your doctor and specialists as suggested SOURCES http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/10-common-reasons-for-er-visit.htm http://www.cde.gov/nchs/fastats/ervisits.htm PROVIDED BY JFK MERICA WWW.JFKMEDCENTERBLOG.COM