Don't you ever get mortally wounded in Newark New Jersey.

[dr_pepper_spray]

I recently had to go to the emergency room for what I thought then was a broken finger. I started at a park in Newark New Jersey, working at an outdoor concert when a piece of equipment I was working with failed (a older Jib, for those in the entertainment business) that put into motion a set of events that eventually crushed my left pinkie finger

Comments

[mrnihil]

ack.

[stakingaclaim]

Definitely sounds like hell to me.

[intravenous]

Well, first off, drunks are not sick and do not need to be seen by a doctor but they are a liability to be released and are sat in the waiting room til they're sober enough not to be struck by a vehicle. Yes, it smells but it keeps a bed free for the next guy

[dr_pepper_spray]

Well there is a lot of unknowns here for both of us. This is a hospital that neither of us have any experience with. You have a better idea then me, but do you know how many nurses are on staff there, how many Doctors are working, How many X-ray machines they have (I would hope more then two) ect, ect.. Unless of course there is a federally mandated minimum

[intravenous]

In my experience (which is most of the Level 1 & 2 hospitals in southwestern CT) Fast Track is only separate from the ED in where it is in the building. They utilize all the same nurses, doctors and resources. Yes it is like a clinic for non emergent "emergencies" but it is the same system.
And I have noticed that the unit coordinators are bitchy in general. I think it is the same as like, DMV workers. They deal with not-so-smart, not-so-nice people day in and day out. Eventually you just become jaded and bitter and roll your eyes at even the nicest bald dude with glasses.
I appreciate you discussing this without taking offense when i used you as my example. It was just kinda too perfect to pass up.

[vivnsect]

The Fast Track often just shares the same employee pool with the ER. It's nonsensical and weird but I guess in some hospitals it ends up really working? In poorly funded inner city hospitals, I have noticed that the Fast Track just tends to create more animosity all around.

[mysteriasylvan]

If the emergency room isn't for "real" emergencies, why have one at all? What's the point? I understand rationing based on severity, but fucking send people out to a PCP if they don't need the hospital.

[vivnsect]

Because many people don't have PCPs

[vivnsect]

But I guess I should add that even though the whole thing is fucked it doesn't excuse people from common courtesy and from not being douchebags. The medical personnel have an obligation to not be douchebags.

[bightchee]

I acknowledge I read your story and consider it to be interesting.

[mrmiasma]

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