My ER Ordeal

I will never forget nor would I like to relive the horrible morning of September 3^rd, 2007. I had been awakened by the sharpest pain I had ever had, and knew right then that it was no ordinary one. The pain, coupled with what seemed like a loss of sensation on one side of my tongue, scared the daylight out of me. Fearing it might be an infection, I headed straight to my local ER where I had always gone since relocating to this city two years before. This hospital had always had great doctors and nurses who attended to me or my family members with great care. Thus, I was not expecting anything different.

But I was wrong. What happened to me the next few hours baffled me so much that when ever I recall that painful day, I wonder how certain people got their license to provide care for others.

When I had checked in with the receiving nurse and stated my symptoms, she welcomed me warmly. She then did the routine- asked for current insurance information and the likes. Quickly, she notified the triage nurse who then called me in about five minutes later. There had been only one other patient in the waiting room so I felt I was in for a good and timely care. After the triage nurse input my vitals and symptom information, she escorted me to a room where I was to wait for the doctor. I felt a bit relieved as things were working out well quickly. The nurse made me feel comfortable by providing warm blanket and adjusting the bed for me. She told me the doctor would see me shortly, wished me well, and then vanished from the room.

I waited for the doctor to come. At this time, my pain level, which had been about eight, had now seemed to be more like eleven out of ten. Twenty minutes had gone, and no doctor. Now remember reader, that the ER is unusually empty today- only one patient in the waiting room when I arrived. I pressed the "call for help" button hoping someone would come and assure me that the doctor had been notified and is coming. Ten more minutes went by and still no answer. Finally, as I was pressing the call button again, a doctor emerged before me, stating that he was already on the way to see me and that's why no one had responded. I took his remark as a careless and negligent one because from the first time I pressed the button to the time he actually came to the room, about forty or more minutes had gone by. What if I was having a life-threatening condition that warranted immediate care?

Anyway, I did not dwell on it long as he began to enquire about my condition. I quickly narrated my story, stating how my pain had steadily been getting worse. Since I mentioned ear ache, he checked my ears for infection and said they were fine. I then asked about my tongue which by now was losing its ability to taste and felt charred. He told me he could not tell what the cause of my ailment was, but that he would give me a strong painkiller. I told him I had already taken one of a great caliber but he had already decided that that was all he would do. I started to ask about running some test to see if he could find something when he promptly told me he would be right back.

I must have momentarily wished my self to sleep as the gnawing pain persisted on my nerves and ear, for I was startled when another nurse came in. She handed me a prescription from the doctor. She said that the doctor would not give me a dose right then since I would be driving. So, I was to go and find a 24-hour pharmacy (this was about 3 a.m. now) where I can get my medication filled. I questioned why the doctor wouldn't run some test, or at least give me a dose of the medicine and have me stay a while to see if it works for me. I did not have to go home then, not that the ER was busy. His decision to send me away with simple painkiller, after seeing the intense pain I was having, continues to trouble me. The nurse only said that he wanted me to follow up with my doctor if no improvement.

Now, since it was Labor Day, my doctor's office was not open. I felt so miserable and could not find the words to express my emotions then. After what seemed like eternity, I managed to get a direction to a 24-hour pharmacy from her. She graciously wrote the directions down for me, then handed me the release form to sign. I informed her that I was not satisfied with the care (or lack there of) I had received from the doctor, but then realized she was in a powerless position herself. I signed the form and exited the premises.

My horror and disappointment had been the doctor's casual observation of my condition and the abruptness of his departure without running any test. Assuming the ear ache subsided with the painkiller, what about my tongue, which had now continued to deteriorate? My ears might have had no infection, but the throbbing pain should have warranted the doctor to run a test! He didn't!

I have heard of emergency room mishaps, but I never thought it would personally happen to me. I have a great insurance. I pay my co-pay. I did not understand the doctor's ill treatment and incompetence at all. I was speechless to say the least. I thought this doctor had to be the lousiest person to have been bestowed with that distinguished title of physician. But as my situation worsened, I realized I was wrong.