“How a busy ER cut a four hour wait time to 90 minutes” was a headline that caught my attention as I pored over the online pages of Brunswick News articles.
I haven’t visited an ER since 1997. Yup, you read that right. The potential to be trapped in a waiting room with a dozen sniffling, coughing toddlers has been enough of a deterrent. In my world, the reason is clear — I cannot afford to let anything bring me down — whether a cold, the flu, a banged toe, a cut finger, a blinding headache. My ER visit all those years ago was related to a subsequently diagnosed heart condition/defect which is, to date, well managed.
The last time I required a prescription was for an antibiotic a few months ago to treat a grotesque sinus infection — my first one ever! I almost had it kicked with homeopathics (yes, they do work!) but stronger ammunition was called for. I got the script during a routine visit with my doctor as he went over results of thyroid function bloodwork.
ER wait times are notoriously long in this province and it’s abundantly clear that physician’s assistants have a place in that environment to move patients along in an efficient and timely manner as they dispense care and consultation to the man, woman or child who presents with one symptom or several that can be successfully treated without the need for a ‘real doctor’. We must not dismiss the skills of the physician’s assistant.
They are highly trained professionals who have made the decision to pursue a career in the health field that allows those with whom they come into contact to better help themselves. As taxpayers, we need more of them if we have any hope of reducing the burden of the systems of care to which we’ve become accustomed. If we were to be honest, we are a significant part of the problem. Yes, we are.
How many of us have a bare-bones first aid kit in the home? Admittedly, I don’t but I do have a range of ‘medical supplies’ in the event of an emergency — elastoplast bandages, pressure gauzes, sinus tablets, cough medicine, antihistimines, over the counter pain management medications. You get the picture.
Canadian Safety Supplies has a ‘dorm room’ kit that would be ideally suited for at home use and be particularly valuable to those who currently have nothing in the way of self-care/treatment ‘tools of the trade’. The 293-piece kit has products to treat cuts and scrapes, sprains, disinfection, eyewash and eye protection, burn relief, insect bites, flu and pandemic protection and disinfection, antibiotics, a digital thermometer, among other items. You could adapt it to your own needs with things you use on a regular basis and would benefit from having on hand in case of emergency. Also include any special items that would be needed for youngsters in the home.
Such a medical kit would go a long way to ensuring that you won’t have to spend 8 hours in the ER to be seen for 10-15 minutes by a physician’s assistant who will send you home with sound advice on self-care and recommendations for things used to treat situations that never required an emergency room visit in the first place.
If you’re artsy craftsy, you could recycle dish cloths and dish towels to make pouches for ice packs. In my freezer, I have a selection of ice packs available ‘just in case’. Re-useable hot/cold gel packs would also be appropriate additions to your at-home medical center; they’d also be useful for pet emergencies. On occasion, I’ve used a bag of frozen peas for knee or ankle swelling due to a strain; they work very well and may be just thing to eliminate the need to visit the ER if you took a tumble on the ball field or on the living room floor trying to get to a dog before he leaves you a make work project.
Think about your pain level - gauge it. Then decide if the situation actually warrants a trip to the hospital. Calling the ER to speak to a nurse or a physician’s assistant may be sufficient to reassure you that no, you don’t need to go in. Staying home is your contribution to saving taxpayer dollars that happen to be your dollars, too! Think about that each time you are convinced a slight temperature, a swollen finger, or a slight cough needs to be seen immediately and at the hospital. Besides, hanging out in the ER invariably elevates stress levels, so your body will thank you if you just stay home, put your feet up and have a ‘for medicinal purposes’ splash of single malt or beverage of choice. Or, if you’re inclined, a nice bowl of ice cream. Comfort food is good for a body!
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with her aging Australian silky terrier and a rambunctious Maltese. She can be reached via email at carmacrockwell@xplornet.ca
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