[ithirtz]

This is a difficult issue in the world today. I am a retired MD and have had several emergency room experiences that I can share.

1. I had severe infectious food poisoning (EColi) had bloody diarrhea, severe vomiting and was taken to the ER. I sat in the ER for 4 hours running to the bathroom with such severe diarrhea that I no longer urinated due to severe dehydration. I told them I was a MD but it didn’t matter. My husband began making such a fuss that they finally put in an IV, antibiotics and something for the nausea. My labs showed that my kidneys were shutting down due to dehydration.

2. My husband began having a very rapid heart rate of 140. When it didn’t stop I called 911. The ambulance showed Afib which was stopped prior to arrival at the ER.

3. My husband fell from his galloping horse (he’s 74) and was knocked out but quickly came too. Very confused. I called 911. The ambulance took him to a trauma hospital 60 mins away. When I got there, he had been scanned and was awake and oriented. He had a subarachnoid hemorrage and a small subdural (bleeding around the brain). While in the ER, he began to become agitated and disoriented. After I rushed to the nurses station twice to demand the Dr. come because he may be rebleeding, he was rushed to the scanner, then the ICU. Neuro didn’t want to do surgery at that time but his bp kept going up and I could tell he needed to urinate. The nurses wanted to straight cath him (temporary way to drain the bladder) but I insisted they us a foley (stays in), knowing that he would have to be cathed several times which would raise his bp. I insisted on several other issues over the course of his stay.

Bottom line. If it is serious ALWAYS call 911. The ambulance is not cheap, but they can begin treatment, it assures he will be seen very quickly and taken to the most appropriate faculty. You are the best advocate for your loved one. Be there. Always ask questions about what and why, consequences of doing and not doing. No one cares as much as you do and you have a right to make informed decisions. The trauma hospital was a teaching one – always be leery of these. Your loved one is being cared for by unskilled, student (resident) doctors who only report to the head of the department. The nurses are your best friends, they do the work and know who is good and who isn’t. They are the ones really taking care of your loved one.