When a loved one suddenly collapses in the park or stops breathing during dinner, your instincts can quickly take over.
But doctors say resisting the urge to let emotions take over could save a life.
Dr. John Torres, an emergency room physician at Premier Urgent Care in Colorado Springs and senior medical officer at NBC News, published his list of the four most common mistakes patients make during an emergency.
It comes after rapid CPR was credited with saving the life of Buffalo Bills football player Damar Hamlin, who suffered an unusual heart injury that caused cardiac arrest on the field.
Dr. John Torres, an emergency physician at Premier Urgent Care in Colorado Springs, published his list of the four most common mistakes patients make when rushing to the hospital in an emergency.
Don’t even call your loved ones
Believe it or not, when many people are struck by disaster, their first response is to call a loved one—a parent, child, or sibling—for help.
But Dr. Torres says the first point of contact should always be 911.
He said calling someone else wasted valuable time that could be used to treat the patient.
“Once you are in the hospital, you can call anyone you want,” said Dr. torres “You have all the time.”
Doctors say being admitted to hospital delays treatment because ambulances are equipped with medical equipment that can help them
Don’t drive someone to the hospital
With the average ambulance ride now costing $1,277, many are choosing to take their loved ones to the hospital, according to FAIR Health.
But Dr. Torres notes that while it may seem faster, it actually delays a patient’s treatment.
This is because ambulances are equipped with medical equipment and staffed by medical specialists to help patients.
Equipment on board may include heart rate monitors and defibrillators, suction cups or aspirators that can clear the airways, and incubators to keep patients warm.
DR Torres adds that driving someone to the hospital can be very distracting for the driver, increasing the risk of an accident.
Hospitals in Wisconsin estimate that about 20 percent of patients who come to their emergency room are taken there, WEAU reports, with numbers likely to be similar in other parts of the country.
You should also never leave a patient alone when they arrive at the hospital, but be ready to explain to the doctors what happened
Do not leave anyone in the emergency room
Once you find someone in the ER, it can be tempting to think your job is done.
But Dr. Torres says you should stay with them to make sure they’re okay and to answer questions from doctors and nurses about what happened.
He said: ‘They won’t think clearly, especially when they’re in pain. Therefore, [it’s important to] Make sure there is someone who can ask questions.’
He added: “It’s okay to be pushy, but it’s not okay to be obnoxious.”
There have been a number of medical situations where patients have said that they received the treatment they needed only after putting pressure on the doctors.
One of the most common mistakes people make is forgetting their cell phone charger
Don’t forget your phone charger
We do it all: Whether it’s in the office or when we go out.
However, if you can remember, it is important to take the charger with you in case of a medical emergency.
Dr. Torres said, “I can’t tell you how many times people come in and break their cell phones because you’re going to be there for six, ten, twelve hours.”
The average waiting time in the emergency room nationwide is about two hours, but then the time to see a doctor can be significantly longer.
Sometimes patients can stay in the hospital for days with family members to support them.
In comparison, the average phone can last about 10 to 17 hours between charges, depending on usage.
A record four in 10 Americans put off medical care last year because of cost concerns — amid inflation
High medical costs are keeping Americans away from the doctor’s office, a study has found.
A Gallup poll released Tuesday found 38 percent of Americans are delaying medical treatment for financial reasons — the highest number on record and up 12 percent from a year earlier.
An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that insurance premiums — the monthly cost of coverage — rose 47 percent from 2011 to 2021, while deductibles — the amount a person must pay before insurance kicks in — rose 68 percent. is than during this period.
This is accompanied by staggering jumps in prescription drug prices, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reporting price increases of more than 1,000 percent between 2016 and 2022.
Experts point to rising inflation that has affected nearly every facet of American life — along with the upward pressure the Covid pandemic has placed on health care costs over the past year.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
