WILL POWER REPORT: EMERGENCY ROOM “RESERVATIONS”

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Nothing but the Truth!

 

By Will Power

 

February 2, 2011 (San Diego)--While rich people can get to see their MDs practically at will, the working poor are limited in the number of appointments they receive. As a result, people with common chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart failure often wait until the last minute to seek emergency care. The working poor, with no insurance at all, use the ER as their primary health care provider.

 

The latest idea to come down the pike is "Emergency Room Reservations", which is a form of Health care rationing. If you are planning to have a heart attack, get in a car accident, or get shot, make sure you have reservations at the ER. Sure!

 

Actually, the idea has some merit, except that real emergencies cannot be treated remotely. If you really have a heart attack, and die waiting for a "reservation", the hospital could be sued.

Hospitals would be better off providing an "Acute Care" service, which could get those comatose diabetics and bad asthma cases into quick service using Nurse Practitioners.

 

If you have never been in a hospital emergency room, the bedlam resembles the outer rings of Dante's Hell. People are rushing around, mopping up blood, jamming in catheters, and jump-starting hearts like AAA.

 

Often people are lined up at the counter, trying to prove they have insurance. The result is many mistakes are made.

 

This makes the case for a smart card medical record system with patients vitals, home address, next of kin and blood types available instantly. Their medical and prescription history could be read instantly, and billing time and fraud reduced.

Anyway, make sure you have your Emergency Reservation phone number in your wallet. If you have to go to the hospital, it might be more important than wearing clean underwear.
 


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