It seems strange to ask if people plan to go to the emergency room. However, it seems that a number of people use the emergency room in place of seeing their primary care provider. People who are seriously ill or injured are seen on a priority basis. This means that though a patient may have gotten to the ER first someone else may be seen first.
Some helpful hints before going to the emergency room:
If you or a family member were running a fever the doctor would like to know:
ü What is the temperature? What time did you take it?
ü Did you/your family member take any medicine for the fever? If so, what kind and how much?
ü What time did you take your last dose?
ü Did you/family member take a tepid (slightly warm) bath?
Some medications that can help reduce a fever are:
w Acetaminophen (Tylenolä, APAPä)
w Ibuprofen (Advilä, Motrinä)
If you come to the ER complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea the doctor will want to know:
ü How many times have you vomited or had diarrhea in the last 24 hours (or length of your illness)?
ü Can you hold anything down including water?
. ü We will ask you for a urine sample when you come to see us.
w Before coming in, try small sips of Pedialyteä or Gatoradeä which are often easy to tolerate
If you have a cut:
ü When you get here one of the questions we will ask you is the
last time you had a tetanus shot.
w Before coming in, stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the cut area and wrap it as best you can.
If you think you might have a strain, sprain, or broken bone:
w Apply an ice pack to the injured area.
w Elevate the injured part.
w Come in to be seen.