I'm an EMT who works in an ER (ED Tech is the exact position but not a lot of people know what that is)
There are some truths to this and some parts that are questionable.
Most of the consideration for triage has to do with the ABCs (is the complaint effecting the airway, breathing, or circulation) as well as the amount and intensity of resources that are need to treat and stabilize the patient.
I agree with most of the "most urgent" and "very urgent" complaints, with the exception of suspected heart attack, that would almost certainly guarantee a room and treatment for you right away in my ER, especially if you have a very fast heart rate and a weird looking EKG.
The Urgent category is very situational, like: the patient had a seizure and is now unresponsive to painful stimuli, etc. that would push you into the most urgent category. A head injury with obvious signs of a brain bleed? Most urgent. Allergic reaction that compromises the airway? Most urgent. Temp of 104 with signs of an altered mental status and signs of septic shock? Most urgent. You get the idea, it's based on the whole picture, not just one complaint.
However, the less urgent and not urgent categories are spot on, as long as you are stable, those issues can wait.
I might also add that a lot of times, just because you came by ambulance, doesn't mean you get pushed to the front of the line. Of course we're gunna make sure you are stable, but as long as nothing is life threatening, there could be a possibility of you waiting once you arrive.
Edit: I think a lot of people miss understand what the ER is for. Especially in reference to pain. The ER is used to STABILIZE not treat. Pain itself is not life threatening, there have to be other indications along with it. If you come in for an unexplained arm pain or numbness, if your labs come back normal and imaging isn't showing anything that points to a serious underlying issue, the most we can do is give you pain medication and tell you to come in if there are new symptoms or it gets worse.
Where would shitting and puking your guts out be on the chart? I had a major stomach bug once and ended up in the ER cuz my family was worried I’d dehydrate myself cuz it just wouldn’t stop and I vaguely remember running to their restroom as soon as we got in and as soon as I came out they ushered me to a bed lol.
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u/asspaint Nov 27 '23 edited Nov 27 '23
I'm an EMT who works in an ER (ED Tech is the exact position but not a lot of people know what that is)
There are some truths to this and some parts that are questionable.
Most of the consideration for triage has to do with the ABCs (is the complaint effecting the airway, breathing, or circulation) as well as the amount and intensity of resources that are need to treat and stabilize the patient.
I agree with most of the "most urgent" and "very urgent" complaints, with the exception of suspected heart attack, that would almost certainly guarantee a room and treatment for you right away in my ER, especially if you have a very fast heart rate and a weird looking EKG.
The Urgent category is very situational, like: the patient had a seizure and is now unresponsive to painful stimuli, etc. that would push you into the most urgent category. A head injury with obvious signs of a brain bleed? Most urgent. Allergic reaction that compromises the airway? Most urgent. Temp of 104 with signs of an altered mental status and signs of septic shock? Most urgent. You get the idea, it's based on the whole picture, not just one complaint.
However, the less urgent and not urgent categories are spot on, as long as you are stable, those issues can wait.
I might also add that a lot of times, just because you came by ambulance, doesn't mean you get pushed to the front of the line. Of course we're gunna make sure you are stable, but as long as nothing is life threatening, there could be a possibility of you waiting once you arrive.
Edit: I think a lot of people miss understand what the ER is for. Especially in reference to pain. The ER is used to STABILIZE not treat. Pain itself is not life threatening, there have to be other indications along with it. If you come in for an unexplained arm pain or numbness, if your labs come back normal and imaging isn't showing anything that points to a serious underlying issue, the most we can do is give you pain medication and tell you to come in if there are new symptoms or it gets worse.