r/EmergencyRoom

This weekend I took one of my medications and ended up vomiting nonstop. It started around 6 a.m. on Sunday, and I threw up 9 times throughout the day. Eventually there wasn’t even any food left in my stomach, but I kept throwing up what I assume was stomach acid.

Since then, I haven’t been able to keep much down. I tried eating a small container of applesauce and threw that up too. I’ve also struggled to keep water down. Yesterday I threw up once more in the morning, and I’ve lost about 6 pounds in one day, which I’m assuming is mostly from dehydration.

At what point do you go to the ER for IV fluids? Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did they just give you fluids and anti-nausea medications because I have plenty here and even after Zofran I threw up on sunday, or did they do additional testing?

I’m mostly wondering if not being able to keep food or water down for this long is enough of a reason to go in.

I'm a PT currently working in the ED. I was an EMT prior so it was an easy transition. I love the work compared to the floor - acute msk, geriatric falls, vertigo, etc. Most of our providers and nurses are happy but a few definitely aren't (based on survey results).

I'm curious what everyone here thinks about the implementation of PT in the ED? Pros/cons? Ways to improve this process?

Thanks in advance.

I was talking to my mom last week who worked as an RN/CNA capacity at a small rural hospital for 30 something years and said the hospital used to have an urgent care about 25 years ago built into the ED. Does this still exist anywhere or is it a relic of the past?

Also generally curious how the logistics of this works? Does it alleviate wait times or help in general?

I have to know what doctors or nurses see during their time working during Fourth of July, seeing people’s hands or fingers missing because they were dumb enough to hold a fire work?

Everyone always complains about wait times where I live because it is public health care - thus you wait. I'm curious how much longer a typical wait in an Albertan ER is compared to other places in the world. For the record, our median wait time in 2024 was 4 hours. I suspect it would be longer now because we have had huge population growth in the last two years.

So I start a new job as an er registration in my local hospital. It is a trauma center so I have been preparing best I can for what I will see and hear when I am working. However I am curious as to other registration job essentials. I am looking for shoes and sock recommendations, and any extra items I should pack in my work bag!

I am excited to start and am prepared to be perceived as the 'bad guy' and my supervisor seems very supportive with tough cases.

The type of shit that I see and I only see a very small subset of patients. It’s at a point where the nurses will put me on their DoorDash orders while exchanging stories. My first ever hospital advocacy call I met a guy extremely on on meth with the quietest chihuahua ever, he was laughing and crying and then ended up on a psych hold (later found out his ex had a restraining order against him). My second time around we didn’t even get through the exam because the lady was so agitated that she was cussing and throwing things (angry because we WOULDN’T take her clothes). She (yes, the patient) called 911 and said we were violating her rights. Then we called the police and they asked her what rights were being violated. Then she called people “fucktards” and got escorted out by the same police she called.

Yea no way I could come into work and do this everyday 🤣🤣

So, I broke my foot in a fall about 5PM on a Monday, went to two urgent care centers and was turned away at both, first said no ortho dr's available, second said no longer taking any patients, they were full and closing in 15 min. Only option was Hospital ER. Got to the ER at 6:30PM, at approximately 9:30PM was called in to a triage nurse who only took my blood pressure and asked me my weight and what level of pain I had. At 10:15PM another "person" asked me if my name, address and insurance was correct. Not one person in the ER was being called in to see a Dr. everyone just waiting. Pain level has now increased to 10! At 10:50 I sent my significant other went to the front desk to ask what the hold up was and if I left, would I still be billed?! They told him no, I would not be billed. Long story short, I never got called in for xrays or to see ANYONE! At 11:15PM, I hobbled out of the ER and went home. Now of course I see they are billing my insurance company for an ER visit. I called my insurance company and told them I received NO SERVICES. The claim in under review. Am I wrong for thinking I nor my insurance company should not have to pay for that ER visit? (It ended up I didn't get an xray until two day's later at my personal orthopedists office and yes, I broke my foot)

Someone who knows the basics of the legal process, has taken mental health first aid, and just sits with people being held in the ER as a support person if they have no family/friend with them? Is this a thing anywhere?

I know that the ER is for emergencies but I am desperate. I need a prescription for naltrexone and I thought maybe I could go and get one there. Would that be possible?

Tw: reproductive issues, SA, exposure

i went to the ER yesterday due to an abnormally heavy flow with severe pain and nausea. i needed to get a pelvic exam. the ER doesnt have stirrups so im on a urine bowl flipped upside down with a towel over it. already humiliating, right? but whatever, they made do with what they had an i appreciate it. as soon as the speculum was inserted a nurse opens the curtains all the way and my fiancé is just staring at me, as well as all the nurses behind the desk. she did not announce herself or knock and i could tell the doctor was quite annoyed by this since i had just explained i had sexual trauma from an assault.

now, ive talked to a lawyer friend and was suggested to call the AOD but when i called no one would transfer me or take my name. how can i report this? as much as i would feel guilty to cost someone their job, my private parts were shown to over 10 people without my consent and im having past emotions come up to haunt me and that just simply isnt ok.

EDIT : thanks to everyone that commented clarification/advice. i got into contact with the AOD and she told me she was mortified. i was told this specific nurse chooses not to knock and has gotten in trouble for this before. i am speaking to the advocate tomorrow as well.

It is what it says on the tin basically....

I have fully kicked off and lodged a complaint.

The patient was just 42 years old. Came into resus after suffering two ROSCS via ambulance transportation. Family weren't happy with the relatives room (they complained that it was too clinical and wanted a bed for family members to sleep on as they knew our A&E numbers were bordering on a divert and they just wanted a room with a bed tbh) so I obviously obliged.

The mother was absolutely inconsolable (Muslim mother from a Muslim cultured community) I spent my shift trying to stop ten or fifteen other family members trying to admit themselves on to the Department as well?

I kept the direct family members (father, mother, two sisters, fiancé and his daughter) in this side room whilst constantly trying my best to explain to them that what I was doing was for the best?.....

The whole entire time, his mother is on the floor rolling back and forth, screaming and howling and I didn't know what else to do other than to get on the floor with her and hug her???

She was just absolutely hysterical....

Calling out for him whilst his father just sat there stoic and like a solid brick, void of all emotion.....

I went in to the side room with the doctor when she gave the family the news that he had passed away and, 'there's nothing more that we can do....'

I clutched the Doctor's arm and told her to, 'give them something more....they need your compassion right now.....'

She looked at the man's father and said,

'You are ABA aren't you?.....I am so sorry for your loss....And may Allah make his journey a peaceful one.....you must feel peace now.....your son is now with the prophet.....'

This man's father then went from being a solid rock to breaking down on to the floor and howling like a newborn child.......

And the doctor sat with him and clutched his head within her hands saying to him: 'feel peace.....feel peace.....he's with Allah now....'

A few days later, my matron came up to me and asked me why I had chosen to provide that young man's family with their own side room?......

I literally choked...... Audibly...... Whilst glaring at her with my eyes like a barn owl.....

"Excuse me?......Why did I give them a side room?!......Are you honestly asking me that question?......What do you think the answer is going to be, Matron?!"

She looked at me and shrugged before saying, "Probably a massive fuck you, if I know you?!"

I just turned to her and said:

"Absolutely!!! That family genuinely deserved absolutely everything that I gave to them on that particular evening. I do not regret one single thing that I did and neither should you ever even be considering any of my actions tp be inappropriate concerning that side room either!!!......They needed space and I gave that to them!!......So, whilst I appreciate your concern? It is not needed and you'll find that the family left the department feeling extremely content and incredibly satisfied with the care that we provided??"

She nodded her head and grinned at me before then winking at me and saying: "I have to discipline you though because you went against protocol?....."

My reply was: "Go ahead!!......And you can also discipline the absolutely fucking amazing doctor that was involved as well, whilst you're at it too??!!.....Put both of us on top of the fucking traintracks!!!.....I couldn't care less!!!...."

She walked out of the room wearing the most arrogant smile that I've ever seen in my life.......

"You should train to be a nurse......" she said to me.

"Absolutely not, thank you!!......Don't fancy the PIN Number at all, pal!!"

She just laughed and walked out!!!

😱😱😳

Since that day? She has literally been sniffing around and stuck right up my arsehole during each and every single fucking shift (saying things like: 'it's not the Hilton, remember that?!' And, 'don't give her the role of relative's nurse because she's too good at it!!') 😡😤😠

Hi everyone,

I'm an ED tech looking for some clinical tips. Does anyone have a reliable technique for applying tubular gauze to fingers or toes when an applicator (cage) isn't available?

I am a visual learner, so if you have any video links, GIFs, or clear step-by-step explanations of your process, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you!

I’ve been an EMT for roughly a year now and have worked for almost the entire time as an EMT. I have an interview tomorrow at a Level 1 Trauma and am feeling a little nervous. Typically, I know ED’s try to hire medics/people with a more advanced scope of practice. I’m a little worried that I’m just a baby EMT in a sea of more experienced, highly trained people. Am I cooked? It’s quite a large hospital from what I know, so I’m praying I get lucky. I’m trying to go in with an open mind and a lot of confidence.

Advice is highly appreciated. Thank you! :)

Hello,

As an ED tech, what should my main priorities be during a trauma code?

When EMS rolls the patient into the trauma room, I am usually stationed at the head of the bed. My first step is obviously holding C-spine and helping transfer the patient over to our ED bed. But once they are moved, what comes next? Should my immediate priority be cutting off clothes to expose the patient, or should I get them on the cardiac monitor and start vitals first?

I've noticed that some techs in my ED prioritize vitals before cutting clothes, while others do the opposite, so I'm not entirely sure which is considered correct. Also, when it is time to expose the patient, do I cut absolutely all of the clothes (including pants, underwear, bras, etc.)?

After those initial steps, it seems like my role becomes an extra set of hands for whatever the team needs.

Does anyone have any tips, tricks, or best practices for performing well and being useful during these trauma codes? Thank you!

I am currently visiting my grandfather due to him having internal bleeding and currently in a coma. However, I don't know how long I should be there for.

Edit: Unfortunately, we heard that there's no way for him to recover and we agreed for him to be unplugged from life support in a few days from now.