Updated on March 29, 2024.
No one wants to end up in the emergency room. But, sometimes, it's unavoidable. Try these tips to navigate the ER with as little stress as possible.
Come prepared
When you go to the ER, you’ll be asked questions about your medical history and the medicines you are taking. This can be difficult when you’re flustered or stressed. If possible, try to come prepared.
Keep a list of any prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements on your phone, suggests Jonathon Pangia, DO, an emergency room doctor at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The list should include drug names, dosages, and the reason(s) you take each one. He also recommends listing any chronic conditions you have, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
“We need to get the most accurate information as quickly as possible, so if there’s a concise up-to-date list that we can look at quickly, it is extremely helpful,” says Dr. Pangia.
Be honest
Emergency room team members have seen it all. Don’t feel ashamed or worried about telling them something you feel is embarrassing. Answering all questions honestly can help ensure you get the best possible care in the ER.
“If you don’t tell me you’re smoking, I can’t analyze the true risk of you having a heart attack," says Pangia. "If you don’t tell me that you’re supposed to be on diabetes medication, and for some reason I can’t figure out that you should be, I’m going to miss something very important that could factor in to how I’m going to evaluate and treat you.”
Be patient
Long wait times are often one of the biggest complaints about hospital emergency departments. But they’ve changed considerably over the past 10 years, according to Pangia. “It used to be that you could plan on an eight-hour wait. These days, across the country, the standard is less than an hour, with a goal of 30 minutes,” he says.
Still, you may have to wait, so try to be patient. People are usually seen in the order that they arrive, unless they are in a life-threatening situation, in which case they may be moved to the front of the line.
Trust the ER staff
There’s no doubt that going to the emergency department can be stressful. But the team is there to help. “Have faith in the people taking care of you,” says Pangia.
You can also take steps to learn about your local ER. Find out if it is accredited and if the ER doctors are board-certified in emergency medicine. “If they are, you can trust that… you’re in the care of competent providers… and that you’re going to get the respect and care that you want and deserve.”
