No one wants to be in a position in which they have to go to the emergency room, but each year 135m+ Americans do end up making a visit. Given this large number, it is probably worth reading up on some tips on how to make an emergency room visit as smooth an experience as possible. The less anxious the patient is when going to the ER, the better.
With this in mind, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) put together “ER 101,” on “What to Expect,” offering easy-to-understand tips for the situation. Being prepared makes it much easier for physicians like Dr. Josyann Abisaab – an ER doctor at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital – to support their patients.
According to the ACEP’s guidelines, it is a good idea to bring an overnight bag for patients who are older and frailer, since they have a greater chance of being admitted to the hospital. The patient should try to avoid food and drink before being assessed by a physician (unless there are extenuating circumstances such as diabetes).
For children, many ERs have a “Welcome to the Emergency Department,” coloring book facilitating the process. The ACEP’s guidelines also includes advice on: what to expect when one arrives; what information is useful to take along; where to get medical history forms; important questions to ask before leaving the ER and more.
