ER Overuse Debate

not everyone who is rushed to the emergency room arrives in an ambulance.

I think the concept of not going to an emergency room unless it is an actual emergency is well known?

most people don't really go to the ER willingly really. In situations where there is an emergency i'm unsure what the alternative is.

The nature of medical emergencies prevents actual markets. If you have a chest pain, that's not the time to be comparison shopping and reading reviews of different hospitals. It's the time to get to the nearest ER while you can. Markets rely on well-informed buyers, which are just not possible in the circumstances.

Uhm.. Sometimes there is a need to go to a hospital ;)

> Lol what? It's the job of the state to provide adequate resourcesIsn't it the same with ER? People are severely discouraged from using ER for any concern that doesn't require an immediate action. ERs, like ambulances, are services whose time and resources need to be highly available for those who really need them.

In general, if you're not going to die in the next 3 hours, don't go to an ER.Because of the laws surrounding ER care [0] and the fact that most hospitals with ERs are Trauma I & last resort, almost all operate in triage all the time.The end result is that if you're not critical, you get care once they have enough time. And they never have enough time. Because they never have enough people.Recommendations: only consider ERs in wealthy suburbs (where they'll be le

Should probably have gone to an ER. Emergencies are easier to argue and appeal. "Urgent" (yet less costly) and they assume you still could have waited... it wasn't an emergency yet. I hate our insurance/medical payment/determination system. It's a joke.

If you seriously require the services of an ER, you're not going to be in a position where you want to spend time comparison shopping.

If I’m having a heart attack, healthcare is distinguishable by “what’s the closest ER”. The ambulance crew is unlikely to even permit a choice in the matter.