Posted on Aug 9, 2016
ENS Ansi Officer
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A trip to the ER can take all day. I personally have waited hours to be seen by the medical staff. At what point does waiting become unacceptable?
Posted in these groups: Ems Medical2b110ef1 PatientHealthheart Health
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Responses: 35
SGM Erik Marquez
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So long as your initial triage and condition has not changed, is monitored, and you are being considered for service ....you will be seen when medically relevant based on need and relative to other patients that present with more serious conditions.
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SGT Alicia Brenneis
SGT Alicia Brenneis
>1 y
Exactly
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TSgt David Holman
TSgt David Holman
>1 y
Excellently put SGM Erik Marquez
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Col Dona  Marie Iversen
Col Dona Marie Iversen
>1 y
Spot on!
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CPT Physician Assistant
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Consider yourself lucky if you are waiting. Its the patient's who are being hurried back that are having an emergency. An emergency is something that is a threat to life, limb, or eye sight. It is not a sore throat, back pain, migraine, or an STD. The reason waits are so long is that ERs are overused and abused by people without true emergencies and who do not utilize primary care. Do not begrudge the medical providers - you are triaged and seen by order of importance and severity. If the sore throat has been waiting for 8 hours, they will not be seen before the chest pain patient simply because they got there sooner. If you have a non emergent issue, an urgent care or primary care is more appropriate and will free up the ER to do what they are there for - EMERGENCIES.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
>1 y
CPT (Join to see) - I do use Homeopathic options when i think I may have an onset, or have the initial onset... it rarely works.
Cherry juice, even to the amounts causing intestinal distress work to delay the severe symptoms, so that helps, but does not remove enough uric acid to stop the attack.
Apple cider vinegar, cherry juice, diet change.
Unfortunately Im assigned to a MTF staffed with civilians and select Mil folks. And it is what it is...urgent care is just not a provided option, no matter how much sense it makes.
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CPT Physician Assistant
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>1 y
SGM Erik Marquez I'm really disappointed to hear that about your access to care. I always tried to hook up my commanders, 1SGs, staff, and senior commanders because y'all never have a set schedule to where you can stick to appointments.

I just left Hood, but if I was still there I would have been more than happy to hook you up.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
>1 y
CPT (Join to see) - This is post retirement.
While in, I had world class treatment, even if not from a "PCM" as we had huge Doc shortages. I had NO complaints with Med services while in, from privet though SGM.
The last few years I had direct access to the Div Surgeon, and My position was always the same,,,, I want nothing the private does not have, if they can not get it, why should I...I dont want it because of who I am, I want it because Im a US Soldier.
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Maj John Bell
Maj John Bell
>1 y
SGM Erik Marquez - I left service before earning medical retirement benefits, so I know nothing of Tri-care. However the rural Family Practice clinic I use will issue scripts for non-narcotic and non anti-biotic meds for chronic conditions after a phone interview with a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Hours are 0600-2200. I phone in and they typically return the call within 20 minutes, usually with in 10 minutes. It might be worth while to see if something similar is offered by a different Family Practice in your area.
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LTC Owner
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when the agony of the wait overcomes the ailment that brought you to the ER.
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