David and Karen Stapp: Emergency rooms are not picnic areas
Re “Memorial ER outrageous” and “Emanuel ER terribly overcrowded” (Letters, March 27): Perhaps those two griping about the long wait and expenses incurred with their so-called emergency visits should re-evaluate their positions. I, too, have had long waits in the ER with family members. If you think before you go, did you really need ER care? Could you have visited a local pharmacy to get the saline solution and Dermabond glue to stop the bleeding? Could you have gone to an Acute Care Center vs. ER?
And for the woman taking her daughter to ER, could this trip have been avoided with over-the-counter medication, some TLC and rest? She suggested take a blanket and some food. This is not a picnic area for a family outing. Bottom line: Think before you hop in the car or call an ambulance; not everything is an emergency. I had always thought that ER was intended for true emergencies; i.e. heart attacks, car accidents, gunshots etc.
Additionally, you do not need to take your entire family children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. to sit, wait, play games or run around and disturb others. Keep your family members out of ER, this is not a family outing. This is Obamacare out of control!
David and Karen Stapp, Modesto
This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 1:15 PM with the headline "David and Karen Stapp: Emergency rooms are not picnic areas."