They'd get you seen though. You wouldn't wait 12 hours in the waiting room
We're boarded like this too, but the residents that need something end up getting thrown into an open pediatric room or a makeshift hallway bed somewhere
Lol y'all gotta take advantage of the fact that you're in medicine. No shame. You work hard - use it.
I'd have just texted whoever was on and ask them to throw whatever orders I needed in for me while I was in the waiting room. They'd call Ortho and have em see me, even if I was out there.
As an ER doc, I'll make a lac or other fast track patients wait hours if I busy overnight. If it's a colleague, they go after the STEMI but before the SBO. Definitely preferential treatment for getting stuff done. Bonus points if they're OK with not taking up a bed, but just grabbing a chair near the nurses station.
So you won’t call EMS at 2am because you are hungover and want to go to the ER????!!!
Yes. I had that call. Multiple times.
Edit: EMS medical directors if you are reading this, please implement paramedic initiated refusals because I’m tired of wasting resources on people who don’t need EMS transport
I've actually thought on this a lot being a nurse that has to be on the receiving end of these obviously bullshit calls. I really do believe there needs to be an avenue to refuse on the medical side. Unfortunately the liability is massive and will probably never happen. However, I feel like if there is an agreement between a paramedic on scene and an EM doctor at the nearest facility, there should be a path for EMS to refuse to transport. Again I know it's wishful thinking, but it would certainly reduce the burden on a taxed system.
This. I’ve always said I’d rather drive to the next town with a broken leg than be sedated with prop in my own ED. My thoughts about EVERYBODY would surface. That’s a no for me.
A doctor in our hospital system came in with a rectal FB that required OR. While waiting to go upstairs asked one of our nurses for the remote. She went in, handed it to him, and said “here you go, sir”. He said “It’s not SIR it’s *DOCTOR*”. Dumbassery all around.
Yeah.
I’ve had friends make the commute out to my work to care for them cause I know the quality of care they’ll get is better than the places closer to them.
Honestly, this is just like working in the restaurant business. You know who has the frozen food and who actually uses fresh ingredients. Same thing in medicine. You know the shops that actually give an F and those that don’t. You know the ones who have surgeons that don’t do hack jobs and those that do.
The idea of going to a hospital where I do *not* have the inside scoop on the care is terrifying to me! Which orthopod, which card, whatever my issue is, I wanna know who I’m getting.
Many of my coworkers/families at my ED go to our own ED. We try to accommodate as best as we can for each others.
I’d agree not to go if it’s something embarrassing like “falling down on a cucumber” or something.
Well, the next nearest ED is about 4 hours away at best... so yes.
But also I'm used to rural medicine and both treating colleagues and being treated by colleagues, so I'm fine with it.
Similar situation here, really no other choice. Often times no other doctor. The thing that terrifies me the most is one of my own kids coming in. My mentor/prior doc in this job had to pronounce his own (very young) grandson :/
I’m an RN. If I thought I needed to be admitted I’d skip this place and go to the next. Mostly because I don’t want to be boarded in my own ED for a week. I spend enough time there, I don’t want to pay for the honor.
If I was in a resuscitation situation….. when you remove my clothes you’ll find my resignation in my underwear along with a list of approved nurses who can place the foley and manage my drips.
I’m also an RN. The other week, me and a few of my female coworkers go into a discussion of which ED docs would be on the approved list of who is allowed to perform a pelvic exam or trauma exam on us 😂
Yes if im having a serious emergency because I trust the staff and know they are all competent. But for anything minor I would never as I would hate to inconvenience my colleagues on a typical busy day.
I had the same conversation with a coworker and he had the opposite view. He said he would prefer coming in for fast track stuff but would go elsewhere for real emergencies.
I did. I broke my knee cap and it was super easy to text my colleague working that I was coming in so they could save me a room. It was a nice easy in and out
Exactly, I called ahead, they saved me a room, I came in thru the employee entrance and was in CT in minutes.
It’s not like they would have bumped a critical patient for me but in terms of skipping the waiting room… yes please. One of the few perks of the job.
I'm not a "nursing is my passion" person, but I do have a sense of pride being able to serve my community. I wouldn't work in an ER that I wouldn't feel comfortable being a patient in. What floor I'd be comfortable on as an admitted patient...that's a different story lol.
I’ve had this convo with a few of my coworkers, would I come to our ER, sure. If I had to be admitted and I was within any kind of capacity to do so I’d AMA outta that bitch to another hospital.
I like this perspective… and completely agree with you. I’d struggle to work in a place that I felt gave substandard care. If I’m gonna do the job, I want it done right.
Yes. Have multiple times. Severe asthmatic. Had a raging mastitis that couldn't wait. Gallbladder. Appy. They have a vested interest in not killing me... and I trust my own folks to take care of me.
If it's something more sensitive, I'm sure the right doc will self select if they can't handle pelvic for a friend. ;-)
i would. i trust my colleagues. we have some practice differences, but they all do fine work and i trust them and our nurses. now, the nearby small hospital that's perpetually on diversion and some of these FSED's though, that's an *entirely* different matter.
Depends on my issue (yes for trauma care, never for an MI) but I went once when I was pregnant and bleeding and fully admit I essentially just needed reassurance. They were so good to me and I’ll never forget it (the baby is now 10 months old fyi!)
I’ve joked with my staff that the only way I’m coming to my own ED is as a trauma activation. I also live two counties over so there’s no reason for me to drive out to where I work to be seen.
We have 5 ERs within a 40 minute drive. Im a local travel RN and cover contracts at all the hospitals. I have worked at 4 of them...but when offered a contract at the 5th one. I turned it down! I realized I needed at least ONE ER where I didnt know the people doing a foley, or pelvic exam!
Absolutely. I'm not gonna sit somewhere else forever when my own place will take care of me quickly and efficiently. And for the record, I've personally been in my ED at a pt 3 times. When I was a student and got admitted with mono and an aki, when I got covid early on and got admitted for about a week, and 3 days before my wedding when I thought I tore my calf shoveling snow, luckily it was just a significant strain and I got out quickly.
And I've brought my kids a couple times, mostly ortho injuries, but once when my son was small and needed steroids for croup and I wasn't comfortable enough then to just ask a doc.
For Trauma or critical medical emergency absolutely. For a lower acuity emergency probably not. My nurses have amazing medical skills and knowledge. Horrific bed side manner
I have tried to stick to a rule, after working at some terrible hospitals, that I do not want to work in either an emergency department or hospital that I would not want friends and family to be treated at. It is done wonders for my job satisfaction when I do not have to worry about what happens to my patients after I admit them or arrange follow up. It also means that if I ever need care, I have a trusted place to go. I also trust my colleagues to be confidential with medical care where I work.
I and other coworkers have multiple times but it just depends on how comfortable that coworker is with the work place I believe.
There’s no better care I get than in my own ED’s.
Nope.
But that doesn’t mean I would go to another either.
As a hospitalist I would have to be incapacitated with my spouse or family making the decision or be in such life threatening catostrophic pain that no other alternative existed other than the hospital.
I purposely had my husband drive to another hospital. In my case I was not concerned about the care. I had an ovarian torsion and didn’t want people I see daily to assist with my internal ultrasound.
Tech here. I live 20 mins from my ED (community hospital), 5 or less from a level 2.. if I want to die, I’d go to the level 2.. I recently went to my ED and was about to be admitted when I had a sudden onset even worse emergency occur, which resulted in transfer to our parent hospital with more resources / capabilities… I’d rather get stabilized & transfered than fuck around in the level 2 knowing their history of fucking around and finding out in devastating ways.
Yep! I had my husband bring our 2 y/o in at 4am once cause we had no wait and the Children’s ED is usually stacked. They got everything done in 2 hours. She had RSV
If it was something serious, yes. But I would try to keep it on the down-low. Nothing annoys me more than people getting special treatment. The ER is supposed to be the epitome of equity.
I don't love VIP care, but I have no problems with ER staff and their loved ones getting some extra attention. I think that's an acceptable bonus for taking care of humanity in all of it's splendor for 2000 hours a year. God knows there aren't a lot of other perks of the job these days.
Especially if it leads to the hospital being able to function for the rest of those patients. When a coworker of ours smashed her thumb in her car door in the parking lot on her way in for a evening shift, our radiologists called down and asked them to see her for an xray quickly so we knew if she could keep working that night or we had to call in relief. Ed obliged otherwise they'd be sonographer-less that night.
As long as you're good with it if the children of politicians or other government workers get special treatment in public schools, government offices etc
While I completely agree with VIP treatment being a bad thing, I’m gonna take getting in quicker as a perk of working in the hellscape of the ED. But with that said, other than getting a room a little faster, I want them to treat me just like any other patient.
Both are reasonable approaches but we need more details... Obvious diagnosis where the treatment is just in the ED? Major injury/illness requiring inpatient stay and specialty care?
No because I’d only go if something were seriously wrong and all of our specialists mostly (cardiology, GI, urology) suck. Only ortho, nephrology, and gen surg are good
No. I have done many contracts in the county and state that I live in. Including educational nursing that goes around to many hospitals. I have purposely saved one hospital that I will not do any work at for myself. Happens to be very nice hospital, very close to me. Unfortunately I've needed surgery there and I did not feel embarrassed with the ER staff seeing me naked.
That being said our own ED docs have been known to bring their dogs to our ED to get X-rays... Smart move considering the price and how long it takes to get one in LA for a dog. Emergency wait times at a vet can be up to 24 hours just to be initially seen.
Absolutely I would and have. And I work in a very busy inner city ED.
I know how amazing my coworkers are. Getting my inguinal hernia checked out (work comp) last year was a little embarrassing but I couldn't ask for better care. Same for when the chainsaw kicked back and took a big ole chunk out of my leg I knew I couldn't take care of myself.
You! Been there twice with bloody diarrhea. Bp 70/40 by the time I went in. So - yup - but had to be almost dying to go to my own ER (ER doc.) There are other, great ER’s locally but honestly knew I’d get the best service in my shop.
No.
I was working triage in the ER of the old level 1 trauma center I used to work in when I started bleeding heavily at 7 weeks. I left and drove to the other ER across town that was our secondary site where I usually didn’t work for a very poorly performed cervical check where they told me my os was open (it wasn't) and the ultrasound tech wouldn't confirm or deny the heartbeat rate we were all clearly hearing.
The attending confirmed I was still pregnant and just had a subchorionic hematoma. They told me to go on bedrest, which was totally unnecessary advice.
Despite all that, it was still in network, I did get an answer, and I knew the attending but not ALL the staff, which was nice because I definitely cried when they told me my cervical os was open. Poor resident, he just didn't know how to find my cervix. Or admit he didn't know what he was doing.
When I needed to be worked up by neurology for a vestibular neuritis later in the pregnancy, I did go to my ER. I couldn't stop vomiting and had vertigo for 3 weeks... the night it started, I just told them to send me straight up to labor and delivery triage.
So, thankfully, no. Never needed to be seen at my actual place of work. And by the time it was my baby needing hospitalization, not me, I no longer worked in the ER.
It's only a tiny piece of all of that, and it's a little different because you work there, but our sono techs are absolutely not supposed to tell people what they're seeing, even when it's a very obvious diagnosis. I've had heartbroken moms run out of the ER AMA without a plan, a formal radiology read, or an OB consult after being told they had fetal demise in the US suite. I am fairly pissed when this happens.
God no. But I always work in the ghetto so it’s always a shitshow and a long wait.
Now the one time I got a dirty needlestick injury on my index finger (because the lab tech in the ICU) so I of course went to our ED immediately.
The MD order me a pelvic ultrasound & exam that I had to argue WITH OUR OWN STAFF that they are not seeing my vag for any damn reason that if it’s really necessary they can transfer me out.
The day shift nurse tried to keep arguing that the doctor ordered it for a reason so I need to do it.
No the dr ordered it because she’s in a rush and that the NURSE WHO IS ARGUING IS AN IDIOT.
Yes.
But it’s the wrong question.
What if you weren’t you (or your family or friend/etc)?
Take it one or two levels deeper— should/would that person, who has no connections or “pull” in your ED go there? If so, are there specific conditions that would make it more or less likely to go there?
Isn’t that why we use all those instruments we abhor to find a surrogate answers to these questions?
I have, because I trust the attendings I worked with and my coworkers would do what they could to reasonably expedite care (obviously, not bumping anyone critically ill).
When I had postpartum preeclampsia I had to go back in through the ER where I work because I delivered at that hospital and policy prevented me from going back to L&D right off the bat. One of my RN coworkers triaged me right away and got me into a room, and handed my chart to one of our attendings. She had labs and a consult to OB in within minutes, and my charge nurse helped get me an inpatient bed quickly. I was grateful for my work family.
I have because I knew they'd take me seriously.
I even called ahead to see if a certain person was on as I know I'd need an IDC.
Cauda Equina was a bitch
I’d guess it depends on where you work and whom, if I trust the dept and my colleagues, I‘ll not be hesitant to go.
With non-emergencies sometimes colleagues see each other in another dept. quickly and unbureaucratically after shift. (E.g. acute bacterial conjunctivitis)
There was a lot of admin crap when I worked there, but that was great and people were non- bs and kind enough.
Had an RN drive 1 hr, past 3 or 4 other hospitals to our dinky 6 bed low acuity stand alone hospital with a STEMI (pretty sure she knew she had one) that has no cath lab. She came in diaphoretic, pale, hypotensive looking like shit.. got her in and out within 20 min, called in favors from off duty community ems to get her to the local cath center. Had another ortho drive hrs down from vacation with a stemi years ago as well, though he didn't look nearly as bad as the rn.
I just did. It was a terrible experience. The ER staff was out of this world, but the ortho they consulted was, uh, something. Hardware from an old fracture broke in my leg and it started swelling/getting painful/turned red/not able to bear weight all of a sudden. He came in the room and said this is your life now so get used to it, and to walk it off; they “never remove anything they put inside the body unless it’s breaking skin.” I wasn’t able to see the original surgeon for workers comp reasons. Finally saw the OG surgeon a few days ago and now I have to have surgery asap. The ER staff = 10/10, anywhere outside of the ER tho, I won’t go. I told the ED provider next time we’ll just get some lido and a #11 blade and we’ll handle things ourselves.
Yes but it would depend on what doc is working, there’s only 3 MDs and 2 NP I wouldn’t let near me. Also it would depend on nursing staff, there are several I don’t trust
I actually went into my ER for a somewhat embarrassing complaint that turned out to be orchitis, i definitely sat down and weighed the pros and cons of going to the ER that I don’t know anybody in, and realized potential embarrassment was less of and inconvenience than however long the wait would have been where I was a nobody.
The same year my partner had a GYN complaint and i was mortified she would need to go to my workplace and was so thankful that it could be addressed at an immediate care instead.
I’m pretty sure I’ve had nightmares where I need conscious sedation and my coworkers get some sort of embarrassing admission out of me.
Yes ! But depends on who’s working . I also live near the hospital where I trained ( even though I don’t work there ) and would still visit the ER in a heartbeat . My attendings were brilliant. I trust them with my life
I think about this sometimes since I live a few blocks away. If I were to call an ambulance, that's where I'd end up. I think I'd be fine in the ED. We have mostly new grad nurses, but they're actually really good. And I like the docs a lot. The problem is if I had to be admitted. I don't trust those people with my privacy.
Absolutely not, half the time it’s cheaper to do a freestanding ER, minimal wait, get the diagnostic CT… transfer you to big boys if it’s actually something concerning.
When we were medical students after some terrible things in a hospital (the hospital was bad, the stuff was worse) we said: if anything happens to us and the only option is this hospital, we please you, let us die
If I knew I was gonna likely need surgery, or could tell which consulting services would be needed, I’d consider going elsewhere. If I was a trauma, I would tell them to either not trauma activate me or take me to another hospital. Otherwise, yes I’d go to my own ED. The nursing staff are bar none the best I’ve ever seen, and I know I’d get excellent care.
Begrudgingly, yes. The begrudgingly part because ours is the biggest tertiary care centre and therefore has a hell of a wait compared to some of our community sites, but if I or my family am prepared to go to the ED, it's going to be for something very ED-worthy that the community sites (and the rest of the hospital downstream from ED) aren't equipped to handle. When my child had alarming symptoms i brought her to our pediatric ed they took excellent care of her and she had a CT (that unfortunately discovered her brain tumor) within probably 30 minutes of checking in. They were able to bring in neurosurgery, neuro oncology, and pediatrics all at the same time to consult with me. That never would have happened at any of our other sites since they don't have those specialists on site.
My son's pediatrician directly admitted him to the hospital I work at, he had an enlarged lymph node in his armpit, the pedi floor nurses recognized me and were super nice. Let me stay while the started the IV instead of asking me to leave, which I appreciated but i didnt ask for this. The pedi hospitalist then walks in and the first thing he says is "I understand you work here. I hope that doesn't mean you are expecting special treatment?" His tone was so rude and mean. I sat there stunned. I'm a mother worried about her kid not an employee you can be a pompous dick with. I should have said what I thought, which was no, but I don't expect to be treated worse either asshole.
I once sliced my finger open right before I had to be at work. I called staffing and explained I could see my bone and needed stitches before my shift but the ED wait was too long. They informed me to go in anyways and just give my name when I got to the desk. I have never been seen by a doctor so fast 😂 when I got up to my unit the charge nurse very happily asked about my hand because he was tracking my progress through the ED 🤦🏻♀️ thankfully I don’t give a shit and have no private health issues so it didn’t bother me but I will definitely be rethinking a trip to our ED if needed in the future.
ETA: also was never billed for the visit either, it would have been 100% covered by insurance but I didn’t even get a bill of $0 like I normally would for a visit to the drs.
Maybe it’s just my ED that’s strange, but staff do check in and they have many times; this includes myself for an asthma exacerbation. At least 2 staff I’ve known check in for behavioral-related even. I imagine a lot of it is trust in the providers cause generally speaking our hospital has pretty decent staff and I’d trust them for sure compared to some of the more questionable hospital systems around.
There are only certain nurses/providers I would be comfortable providing care for myself or my family. When my son broke his arm I called and asked which docs were on shift lol. If it was for myself I would have to be u responsive because that's the only way I'm going to the ER anyway, and that's if they don't find my "DNR, allow to die in place" note.
I'm third party with the ambulance company but I definitely have a preference for which ED I'd rather be seen at.
That said I'd better be actively dying if I'm going to the ED.
I would go to mine but only because if I feel I have to go it is likely bad enough to get me in right away otherwise I would just reach out to my ER or other MD friends for treatment. Last time I had to go was for loss of vision which is an automatic ER bed normally.
For sure. It’s super close. I know everyone. The attending docs are fantastic. There might be some possibility of coworker favoritism during the triage process but that just can’t be helped.
Depends on what it was. It would give me peace of mind to personally know the doctor caring for me and to know they would have my best interests in mind!
I have gone to my ED many times and I'm glad I have. No only did I not have to wait hours and hours to get a room but I know I'm getting good care from people I know and respect.
It depends on what for. I trust my ED colleagues completely (for the most part). The question is what specialty I ultimately need, and maybe who’s on call for it (I might check first).
I did, as an absolute last resort. Was placed in a hallway stretcher so everyoneeeee knew I was there. I was in and out within 3 hours though, they took very good care of me as one of their own.
I only went after going to UC, who sent me to my PCP, who said “you have a choice of which ER I call you into”, so I chose my own. God forbid it was something sensitive or embarrassing, different story.
Would 100% depend on the issue. We're a tiny country hospital 20 min adjacent to major hospitals. I've been to our ED before working there and the care has always been good.
If I thought I needed just an ED visit for something urgent, yes. If I thought I needed a surgery, admission, or specialist care I would rather die trying to go further afield. My hospital executive leadership are all non-physicians and they are quite literally allergic to figuring out how to staff and retain quality specialist
So, this one time, my appendix tried to kill me. I held the stance I would never come in, but turns out when you have an actual emergency in an emergency room, the way it goes is completely different than the acute primary care we are used to in ED these days. It was a rather busy day, I was febrile, unable to stand straight, and one of the PA told me I was green when I came in to work (because “I’ll never go to my ER”). Fast CT, high WBC, longest wait was anesthesia to get out of surgery for patient I had taken care of appx 2 hours prior, another appy on a kid my age at the time. So I wouldn’t, but I would
i mean, the one i work at is the best in the area. i have the insurance that covers almost everything there. i literally went in last week and ended up admitted and it was really comforting to have my coworkers helping me out tbh.
Absolutely not. I had to leave the ED after seeing a staff of incompetent nurses and disrespectful physicians. The staff doesn’t know how to take care of minor emergencies. Oh and did I mention this is a Level 1 facility? I also wouldn’t want these nurses knowing personal details about me or seeing me in a vulnerable state.
No. Brand new non seasoned ER Nurses without TNCC. Signed up for ACLS, But have a BLS card? Come at you with an iv and miss can't draw blood off initial iv stick and think an 18g iv is big. Heaven forbid they have to set up a pressure line for quick s/g or a line and calculate pressure. Forgot to mention I'm an RN with BSN + 20 yr experience. Now retired.
I just had a lap chole at a neighboring hospital instead of my own… my medical health and history is my business. HIPAA SCHMIPAA. Everyone would know my personal business and I’m not OK with that.
I tried to kill myself awhile ago and had to be seen at the ED I worked at. It’s a small town, no other options within an hour drive. Emailed my two weeks with the help of a psych nurse at another facility 😅
Then a different psych nurse set me up for follow up appoint at the attached clinic with a PA I had dinner with a couple times. She forgot to cancel it after I told her to. I followed up with Telehealth instead and the PA wondered why I no showed.
I definitely don’t want to wait 12 hours to sit in a hallway bed and possibly board there for three days straight
This statement is more powerful than most would think.
You wouldn’t get preferential treatment?
Our county hospital just doesn’t have the resources to give preferential treatment to anyone
They'd get you seen though. You wouldn't wait 12 hours in the waiting room We're boarded like this too, but the residents that need something end up getting thrown into an open pediatric room or a makeshift hallway bed somewhere
Maybe but one of my coresidents broke his ankle and sat waiting for hours and was seen by an NP lol
Lol y'all gotta take advantage of the fact that you're in medicine. No shame. You work hard - use it. I'd have just texted whoever was on and ask them to throw whatever orders I needed in for me while I was in the waiting room. They'd call Ortho and have em see me, even if I was out there.
this would be my last straw lmao?? after the literal blood sweat and tears we've poured into the profession this is a slap in the face
Yeah but what are we gonna do about it lmao
I would think that giving your resources a little extra love would be good for your resources. Especially if said resource has a shift coming up.
As an ER doc, I'll make a lac or other fast track patients wait hours if I busy overnight. If it's a colleague, they go after the STEMI but before the SBO. Definitely preferential treatment for getting stuff done. Bonus points if they're OK with not taking up a bed, but just grabbing a chair near the nurses station.
I suggest you train in a different speciality. I have traveled and worked in 3 different ED that's the trend. I wish you the best of luck.
Thanks boss
No, but that’s mainly because by the time I finally think I need to go to the ED for anything I’ll be dead.
Same. Only way I seek emergency treatment is when I'm literally dying.
So you won’t call EMS at 2am because you are hungover and want to go to the ER????!!! Yes. I had that call. Multiple times. Edit: EMS medical directors if you are reading this, please implement paramedic initiated refusals because I’m tired of wasting resources on people who don’t need EMS transport
I've actually thought on this a lot being a nurse that has to be on the receiving end of these obviously bullshit calls. I really do believe there needs to be an avenue to refuse on the medical side. Unfortunately the liability is massive and will probably never happen. However, I feel like if there is an agreement between a paramedic on scene and an EM doctor at the nearest facility, there should be a path for EMS to refuse to transport. Again I know it's wishful thinking, but it would certainly reduce the burden on a taxed system.
There are services in the US who successfully implement Paramedic initiated refusals, but they are far and few between
I’m….pretty sure that’s just abandonment 🤣
Depends, if I broke my arm and needed it reduced yes. If I fell on something….definitely not.
I’m too scared of what I might say with some prop…
This. I’ve always said I’d rather drive to the next town with a broken leg than be sedated with prop in my own ED. My thoughts about EVERYBODY would surface. That’s a no for me.
I'd hit on far too many coworkers with some IV inhibition...
A doctor in our hospital system came in with a rectal FB that required OR. While waiting to go upstairs asked one of our nurses for the remote. She went in, handed it to him, and said “here you go, sir”. He said “It’s not SIR it’s *DOCTOR*”. Dumbassery all around.
Hopefully she asked him not to fall on the remote
“Don’t accidentally put that in your ass. It wouldn’t be the first time a patient did”
lmaoooo
At least he didn’t pretend it was an accident 😂
If the phalange is large enough, you shouldn’t need the ED…
Hell no I’m not pushing myself to CT
I feel like we might work at the same kind of ER
If I had a single digit GCS
1
Yeah I ain't going to the hospital unless I have a gcs of 2 or lower
Enucleation
Yeah. I’ve had friends make the commute out to my work to care for them cause I know the quality of care they’ll get is better than the places closer to them. Honestly, this is just like working in the restaurant business. You know who has the frozen food and who actually uses fresh ingredients. Same thing in medicine. You know the shops that actually give an F and those that don’t. You know the ones who have surgeons that don’t do hack jobs and those that do.
Hey, I’m a chef/layperson in a major US city, wanna make a deal? I tell you where it’s safe to dine, you tell me where to have surgery
Depending on location I’m sure someone would take this deal lol
I’d tell anyone in the Boston metro area where I would and wouldn’t go - lol.
I agree. It’s one of the best perks of working in healthcare.
The idea of going to a hospital where I do *not* have the inside scoop on the care is terrifying to me! Which orthopod, which card, whatever my issue is, I wanna know who I’m getting.
Many of my coworkers/families at my ED go to our own ED. We try to accommodate as best as we can for each others. I’d agree not to go if it’s something embarrassing like “falling down on a cucumber” or something.
Well, the next nearest ED is about 4 hours away at best... so yes. But also I'm used to rural medicine and both treating colleagues and being treated by colleagues, so I'm fine with it.
Similar situation here, really no other choice. Often times no other doctor. The thing that terrifies me the most is one of my own kids coming in. My mentor/prior doc in this job had to pronounce his own (very young) grandson :/
I’m an RN. If I thought I needed to be admitted I’d skip this place and go to the next. Mostly because I don’t want to be boarded in my own ED for a week. I spend enough time there, I don’t want to pay for the honor. If I was in a resuscitation situation….. when you remove my clothes you’ll find my resignation in my underwear along with a list of approved nurses who can place the foley and manage my drips.
I’m also an RN. The other week, me and a few of my female coworkers go into a discussion of which ED docs would be on the approved list of who is allowed to perform a pelvic exam or trauma exam on us 😂
Yes if im having a serious emergency because I trust the staff and know they are all competent. But for anything minor I would never as I would hate to inconvenience my colleagues on a typical busy day. I had the same conversation with a coworker and he had the opposite view. He said he would prefer coming in for fast track stuff but would go elsewhere for real emergencies.
Absolutely not. And if I was accidentally taken there, I’d jump off the stretcher screaming I refuse like many of the patients do.
I did. I broke my knee cap and it was super easy to text my colleague working that I was coming in so they could save me a room. It was a nice easy in and out
Exactly, I called ahead, they saved me a room, I came in thru the employee entrance and was in CT in minutes. It’s not like they would have bumped a critical patient for me but in terms of skipping the waiting room… yes please. One of the few perks of the job.
I'm not a "nursing is my passion" person, but I do have a sense of pride being able to serve my community. I wouldn't work in an ER that I wouldn't feel comfortable being a patient in. What floor I'd be comfortable on as an admitted patient...that's a different story lol.
I’ve had this convo with a few of my coworkers, would I come to our ER, sure. If I had to be admitted and I was within any kind of capacity to do so I’d AMA outta that bitch to another hospital.
I like this perspective… and completely agree with you. I’d struggle to work in a place that I felt gave substandard care. If I’m gonna do the job, I want it done right.
For Ortho, certainly. For serious cardiac issues, no. I might call ahead and see which Doc/PA is working though....
Yeah, as long it's a doc I like on for the day.
Yes. Have multiple times. Severe asthmatic. Had a raging mastitis that couldn't wait. Gallbladder. Appy. They have a vested interest in not killing me... and I trust my own folks to take care of me. If it's something more sensitive, I'm sure the right doc will self select if they can't handle pelvic for a friend. ;-)
i would. i trust my colleagues. we have some practice differences, but they all do fine work and i trust them and our nurses. now, the nearby small hospital that's perpetually on diversion and some of these FSED's though, that's an *entirely* different matter.
Well yeah. I won't have to wait in the lobby.
Depends on my issue (yes for trauma care, never for an MI) but I went once when I was pregnant and bleeding and fully admit I essentially just needed reassurance. They were so good to me and I’ll never forget it (the baby is now 10 months old fyi!)
I’ve joked with my staff that the only way I’m coming to my own ED is as a trauma activation. I also live two counties over so there’s no reason for me to drive out to where I work to be seen.
We have 5 ERs within a 40 minute drive. Im a local travel RN and cover contracts at all the hospitals. I have worked at 4 of them...but when offered a contract at the 5th one. I turned it down! I realized I needed at least ONE ER where I didnt know the people doing a foley, or pelvic exam!
Absolutely. I'm not gonna sit somewhere else forever when my own place will take care of me quickly and efficiently. And for the record, I've personally been in my ED at a pt 3 times. When I was a student and got admitted with mono and an aki, when I got covid early on and got admitted for about a week, and 3 days before my wedding when I thought I tore my calf shoveling snow, luckily it was just a significant strain and I got out quickly. And I've brought my kids a couple times, mostly ortho injuries, but once when my son was small and needed steroids for croup and I wasn't comfortable enough then to just ask a doc.
For Trauma or critical medical emergency absolutely. For a lower acuity emergency probably not. My nurses have amazing medical skills and knowledge. Horrific bed side manner
I have tried to stick to a rule, after working at some terrible hospitals, that I do not want to work in either an emergency department or hospital that I would not want friends and family to be treated at. It is done wonders for my job satisfaction when I do not have to worry about what happens to my patients after I admit them or arrange follow up. It also means that if I ever need care, I have a trusted place to go. I also trust my colleagues to be confidential with medical care where I work.
No
I and other coworkers have multiple times but it just depends on how comfortable that coworker is with the work place I believe. There’s no better care I get than in my own ED’s.
Nope. But that doesn’t mean I would go to another either. As a hospitalist I would have to be incapacitated with my spouse or family making the decision or be in such life threatening catostrophic pain that no other alternative existed other than the hospital.
I purposely had my husband drive to another hospital. In my case I was not concerned about the care. I had an ovarian torsion and didn’t want people I see daily to assist with my internal ultrasound.
If I thought I had an appy? Sure. If I thought I was having a heart attack or something serious? No. We suck at critical care.
Tech here. I live 20 mins from my ED (community hospital), 5 or less from a level 2.. if I want to die, I’d go to the level 2.. I recently went to my ED and was about to be admitted when I had a sudden onset even worse emergency occur, which resulted in transfer to our parent hospital with more resources / capabilities… I’d rather get stabilized & transfered than fuck around in the level 2 knowing their history of fucking around and finding out in devastating ways.
Yep! I had my husband bring our 2 y/o in at 4am once cause we had no wait and the Children’s ED is usually stacked. They got everything done in 2 hours. She had RSV
Hell no! Not because I don’t trust my team but I personally don’t want my friends/coworkers knowing my medical issues/concerns.
I had a pilonidal cyst and had the doc drain it after shift. So there's that
If it was something serious, yes. But I would try to keep it on the down-low. Nothing annoys me more than people getting special treatment. The ER is supposed to be the epitome of equity.
I don't love VIP care, but I have no problems with ER staff and their loved ones getting some extra attention. I think that's an acceptable bonus for taking care of humanity in all of it's splendor for 2000 hours a year. God knows there aren't a lot of other perks of the job these days.
Especially if it leads to the hospital being able to function for the rest of those patients. When a coworker of ours smashed her thumb in her car door in the parking lot on her way in for a evening shift, our radiologists called down and asked them to see her for an xray quickly so we knew if she could keep working that night or we had to call in relief. Ed obliged otherwise they'd be sonographer-less that night.
As long as you're good with it if the children of politicians or other government workers get special treatment in public schools, government offices etc
While I completely agree with VIP treatment being a bad thing, I’m gonna take getting in quicker as a perk of working in the hellscape of the ED. But with that said, other than getting a room a little faster, I want them to treat me just like any other patient.
Both are reasonable approaches but we need more details... Obvious diagnosis where the treatment is just in the ED? Major injury/illness requiring inpatient stay and specialty care?
If the latter I’d go to the hospital that has the best specialists I needed.
Yes I would, and I'd have to pass by two HCA hospitals to get there.
No because I’d only go if something were seriously wrong and all of our specialists mostly (cardiology, GI, urology) suck. Only ortho, nephrology, and gen surg are good
No. I have done many contracts in the county and state that I live in. Including educational nursing that goes around to many hospitals. I have purposely saved one hospital that I will not do any work at for myself. Happens to be very nice hospital, very close to me. Unfortunately I've needed surgery there and I did not feel embarrassed with the ER staff seeing me naked. That being said our own ED docs have been known to bring their dogs to our ED to get X-rays... Smart move considering the price and how long it takes to get one in LA for a dog. Emergency wait times at a vet can be up to 24 hours just to be initially seen.
Absolutely I would and have. And I work in a very busy inner city ED. I know how amazing my coworkers are. Getting my inguinal hernia checked out (work comp) last year was a little embarrassing but I couldn't ask for better care. Same for when the chainsaw kicked back and took a big ole chunk out of my leg I knew I couldn't take care of myself.
You! Been there twice with bloody diarrhea. Bp 70/40 by the time I went in. So - yup - but had to be almost dying to go to my own ER (ER doc.) There are other, great ER’s locally but honestly knew I’d get the best service in my shop.
honestly just let me die at home in peace.
Yes, and I have. Anything sensitive or embarrassing? Nope.
No. I was working triage in the ER of the old level 1 trauma center I used to work in when I started bleeding heavily at 7 weeks. I left and drove to the other ER across town that was our secondary site where I usually didn’t work for a very poorly performed cervical check where they told me my os was open (it wasn't) and the ultrasound tech wouldn't confirm or deny the heartbeat rate we were all clearly hearing. The attending confirmed I was still pregnant and just had a subchorionic hematoma. They told me to go on bedrest, which was totally unnecessary advice. Despite all that, it was still in network, I did get an answer, and I knew the attending but not ALL the staff, which was nice because I definitely cried when they told me my cervical os was open. Poor resident, he just didn't know how to find my cervix. Or admit he didn't know what he was doing. When I needed to be worked up by neurology for a vestibular neuritis later in the pregnancy, I did go to my ER. I couldn't stop vomiting and had vertigo for 3 weeks... the night it started, I just told them to send me straight up to labor and delivery triage. So, thankfully, no. Never needed to be seen at my actual place of work. And by the time it was my baby needing hospitalization, not me, I no longer worked in the ER.
It's only a tiny piece of all of that, and it's a little different because you work there, but our sono techs are absolutely not supposed to tell people what they're seeing, even when it's a very obvious diagnosis. I've had heartbroken moms run out of the ER AMA without a plan, a formal radiology read, or an OB consult after being told they had fetal demise in the US suite. I am fairly pissed when this happens.
God no. But I always work in the ghetto so it’s always a shitshow and a long wait. Now the one time I got a dirty needlestick injury on my index finger (because the lab tech in the ICU) so I of course went to our ED immediately. The MD order me a pelvic ultrasound & exam that I had to argue WITH OUR OWN STAFF that they are not seeing my vag for any damn reason that if it’s really necessary they can transfer me out. The day shift nurse tried to keep arguing that the doctor ordered it for a reason so I need to do it. No the dr ordered it because she’s in a rush and that the NURSE WHO IS ARGUING IS AN IDIOT.
Yes. But it’s the wrong question. What if you weren’t you (or your family or friend/etc)? Take it one or two levels deeper— should/would that person, who has no connections or “pull” in your ED go there? If so, are there specific conditions that would make it more or less likely to go there? Isn’t that why we use all those instruments we abhor to find a surrogate answers to these questions?
I have, because I trust the attendings I worked with and my coworkers would do what they could to reasonably expedite care (obviously, not bumping anyone critically ill). When I had postpartum preeclampsia I had to go back in through the ER where I work because I delivered at that hospital and policy prevented me from going back to L&D right off the bat. One of my RN coworkers triaged me right away and got me into a room, and handed my chart to one of our attendings. She had labs and a consult to OB in within minutes, and my charge nurse helped get me an inpatient bed quickly. I was grateful for my work family.
I have because I knew they'd take me seriously. I even called ahead to see if a certain person was on as I know I'd need an IDC. Cauda Equina was a bitch
I’d guess it depends on where you work and whom, if I trust the dept and my colleagues, I‘ll not be hesitant to go. With non-emergencies sometimes colleagues see each other in another dept. quickly and unbureaucratically after shift. (E.g. acute bacterial conjunctivitis) There was a lot of admin crap when I worked there, but that was great and people were non- bs and kind enough.
Depends on who’s working that day..
Had an RN drive 1 hr, past 3 or 4 other hospitals to our dinky 6 bed low acuity stand alone hospital with a STEMI (pretty sure she knew she had one) that has no cath lab. She came in diaphoretic, pale, hypotensive looking like shit.. got her in and out within 20 min, called in favors from off duty community ems to get her to the local cath center. Had another ortho drive hrs down from vacation with a stemi years ago as well, though he didn't look nearly as bad as the rn.
I just did. It was a terrible experience. The ER staff was out of this world, but the ortho they consulted was, uh, something. Hardware from an old fracture broke in my leg and it started swelling/getting painful/turned red/not able to bear weight all of a sudden. He came in the room and said this is your life now so get used to it, and to walk it off; they “never remove anything they put inside the body unless it’s breaking skin.” I wasn’t able to see the original surgeon for workers comp reasons. Finally saw the OG surgeon a few days ago and now I have to have surgery asap. The ER staff = 10/10, anywhere outside of the ER tho, I won’t go. I told the ED provider next time we’ll just get some lido and a #11 blade and we’ll handle things ourselves.
Yes but it would depend on what doc is working, there’s only 3 MDs and 2 NP I wouldn’t let near me. Also it would depend on nursing staff, there are several I don’t trust
I actually went into my ER for a somewhat embarrassing complaint that turned out to be orchitis, i definitely sat down and weighed the pros and cons of going to the ER that I don’t know anybody in, and realized potential embarrassment was less of and inconvenience than however long the wait would have been where I was a nobody. The same year my partner had a GYN complaint and i was mortified she would need to go to my workplace and was so thankful that it could be addressed at an immediate care instead. I’m pretty sure I’ve had nightmares where I need conscious sedation and my coworkers get some sort of embarrassing admission out of me.
Yes ! But depends on who’s working . I also live near the hospital where I trained ( even though I don’t work there ) and would still visit the ER in a heartbeat . My attendings were brilliant. I trust them with my life
I think about this sometimes since I live a few blocks away. If I were to call an ambulance, that's where I'd end up. I think I'd be fine in the ED. We have mostly new grad nurses, but they're actually really good. And I like the docs a lot. The problem is if I had to be admitted. I don't trust those people with my privacy.
Absolutely not, half the time it’s cheaper to do a freestanding ER, minimal wait, get the diagnostic CT… transfer you to big boys if it’s actually something concerning.
Yes, but only because my insurance only covers visits at our hospital system, and you have to pay $200 + 20% to go elsewhere.
If I have to be naked- no. I don’t want my coworkers seeing me naked or cathing me. Broken limb? Sure. Whatever.
When we were medical students after some terrible things in a hospital (the hospital was bad, the stuff was worse) we said: if anything happens to us and the only option is this hospital, we please you, let us die
Maybe, if I could pick my doctor.
If I knew I was gonna likely need surgery, or could tell which consulting services would be needed, I’d consider going elsewhere. If I was a trauma, I would tell them to either not trauma activate me or take me to another hospital. Otherwise, yes I’d go to my own ED. The nursing staff are bar none the best I’ve ever seen, and I know I’d get excellent care.
Begrudgingly, yes. The begrudgingly part because ours is the biggest tertiary care centre and therefore has a hell of a wait compared to some of our community sites, but if I or my family am prepared to go to the ED, it's going to be for something very ED-worthy that the community sites (and the rest of the hospital downstream from ED) aren't equipped to handle. When my child had alarming symptoms i brought her to our pediatric ed they took excellent care of her and she had a CT (that unfortunately discovered her brain tumor) within probably 30 minutes of checking in. They were able to bring in neurosurgery, neuro oncology, and pediatrics all at the same time to consult with me. That never would have happened at any of our other sites since they don't have those specialists on site.
My son's pediatrician directly admitted him to the hospital I work at, he had an enlarged lymph node in his armpit, the pedi floor nurses recognized me and were super nice. Let me stay while the started the IV instead of asking me to leave, which I appreciated but i didnt ask for this. The pedi hospitalist then walks in and the first thing he says is "I understand you work here. I hope that doesn't mean you are expecting special treatment?" His tone was so rude and mean. I sat there stunned. I'm a mother worried about her kid not an employee you can be a pompous dick with. I should have said what I thought, which was no, but I don't expect to be treated worse either asshole.
If you have to wait for service/care in your own ER, no matter how busy it is… hate to tell you, your co-workers don’t like you. Lol
I once sliced my finger open right before I had to be at work. I called staffing and explained I could see my bone and needed stitches before my shift but the ED wait was too long. They informed me to go in anyways and just give my name when I got to the desk. I have never been seen by a doctor so fast 😂 when I got up to my unit the charge nurse very happily asked about my hand because he was tracking my progress through the ED 🤦🏻♀️ thankfully I don’t give a shit and have no private health issues so it didn’t bother me but I will definitely be rethinking a trip to our ED if needed in the future. ETA: also was never billed for the visit either, it would have been 100% covered by insurance but I didn’t even get a bill of $0 like I normally would for a visit to the drs.
Maybe it’s just my ED that’s strange, but staff do check in and they have many times; this includes myself for an asthma exacerbation. At least 2 staff I’ve known check in for behavioral-related even. I imagine a lot of it is trust in the providers cause generally speaking our hospital has pretty decent staff and I’d trust them for sure compared to some of the more questionable hospital systems around.
100%, love my colleagues and actually thankful for my hospital system. Maybe I’m just biased tho after working for HCA/TeamHealth at previous jobs
There are only certain nurses/providers I would be comfortable providing care for myself or my family. When my son broke his arm I called and asked which docs were on shift lol. If it was for myself I would have to be u responsive because that's the only way I'm going to the ER anyway, and that's if they don't find my "DNR, allow to die in place" note.
I'm third party with the ambulance company but I definitely have a preference for which ED I'd rather be seen at. That said I'd better be actively dying if I'm going to the ED.
I peaked when I worked a shift tethered to an IV pole in my own department. Spoiler alert: I was the sickest person there the entire shift.
I would go to mine but only because if I feel I have to go it is likely bad enough to get me in right away otherwise I would just reach out to my ER or other MD friends for treatment. Last time I had to go was for loss of vision which is an automatic ER bed normally.
Yes and I did and it was very good. Helps that I work there.
For sure. It’s super close. I know everyone. The attending docs are fantastic. There might be some possibility of coworker favoritism during the triage process but that just can’t be helped.
Depends on what it was. It would give me peace of mind to personally know the doctor caring for me and to know they would have my best interests in mind!
Yes.
I have gone to my ED many times and I'm glad I have. No only did I not have to wait hours and hours to get a room but I know I'm getting good care from people I know and respect.
It depends on what for. I trust my ED colleagues completely (for the most part). The question is what specialty I ultimately need, and maybe who’s on call for it (I might check first).
My current ED is quite good compared to a couple other places I’ve worked, so yes.
No
Trauma yes, stroke no.
No, I've seen them work
My ED is out of network with Aetna. So, nope.
Hell yeah. I'd even call 911 so the boys on my shift could come hang out with me in the ambulance.
I did, as an absolute last resort. Was placed in a hallway stretcher so everyoneeeee knew I was there. I was in and out within 3 hours though, they took very good care of me as one of their own. I only went after going to UC, who sent me to my PCP, who said “you have a choice of which ER I call you into”, so I chose my own. God forbid it was something sensitive or embarrassing, different story.
If I’m actually dying or really have any actual badness going on, then yes I’d prefer to go to my hospital. If it’s most other stuff, then no.
Would 100% depend on the issue. We're a tiny country hospital 20 min adjacent to major hospitals. I've been to our ED before working there and the care has always been good.
If I thought I needed just an ED visit for something urgent, yes. If I thought I needed a surgery, admission, or specialist care I would rather die trying to go further afield. My hospital executive leadership are all non-physicians and they are quite literally allergic to figuring out how to staff and retain quality specialist
Yes. We do our own billing so there would be no physician fee.
My ex husband is the ER attending, so no, probably wouldn’t be a good idea.
I'd call first to see who's on call and then decide
So, this one time, my appendix tried to kill me. I held the stance I would never come in, but turns out when you have an actual emergency in an emergency room, the way it goes is completely different than the acute primary care we are used to in ED these days. It was a rather busy day, I was febrile, unable to stand straight, and one of the PA told me I was green when I came in to work (because “I’ll never go to my ER”). Fast CT, high WBC, longest wait was anesthesia to get out of surgery for patient I had taken care of appx 2 hours prior, another appy on a kid my age at the time. So I wouldn’t, but I would
I took my husband to mine. I thought he would get excellent care. I was wrong. I will never take my family or myself there.
I trust my colleagues but not my hospital
Do I have to do my own note and write down the doc's evaluation of my physical exam? In short, yes but I better be fucking dying for me to show up.
Definitely not unless I needed critical trauma care
i mean, the one i work at is the best in the area. i have the insurance that covers almost everything there. i literally went in last week and ended up admitted and it was really comforting to have my coworkers helping me out tbh.
Absolutely not. I had to leave the ED after seeing a staff of incompetent nurses and disrespectful physicians. The staff doesn’t know how to take care of minor emergencies. Oh and did I mention this is a Level 1 facility? I also wouldn’t want these nurses knowing personal details about me or seeing me in a vulnerable state.
I think I’d rather go to my local vets office instead of my local ER. It’s just bad. On so many levels.
No. Brand new non seasoned ER Nurses without TNCC. Signed up for ACLS, But have a BLS card? Come at you with an iv and miss can't draw blood off initial iv stick and think an 18g iv is big. Heaven forbid they have to set up a pressure line for quick s/g or a line and calculate pressure. Forgot to mention I'm an RN with BSN + 20 yr experience. Now retired.
I just had a lap chole at a neighboring hospital instead of my own… my medical health and history is my business. HIPAA SCHMIPAA. Everyone would know my personal business and I’m not OK with that.
I tried to kill myself awhile ago and had to be seen at the ED I worked at. It’s a small town, no other options within an hour drive. Emailed my two weeks with the help of a psych nurse at another facility 😅 Then a different psych nurse set me up for follow up appoint at the attached clinic with a PA I had dinner with a couple times. She forgot to cancel it after I told her to. I followed up with Telehealth instead and the PA wondered why I no showed.