People who go to the emergency room for medical care are likely so sick or injured that they simply can’t use any other option. Even when they don’t think they’re that bad off, they may still feel the need to receive urgent medical care.
Some people don’t understand that care in an emergency department isn’t based on when you get there. Instead, it’s based on a medical triage that helps the staff to know who needs to be seen urgently and who should be fine waiting.
Triage isn’t always correct
One of the main issues is that triage can sometimes be incorrect. It’s possible for the nurses who are evaluating patients to miss critical signs that something considered an emergency is present. This can leave patients who need immediate care without it, even though they’re in the right place.
Patients can be missed
Patients may be asked to sit in the waiting room if there isn’t a spot for them in the emergency department. It’s possible that a patient could worsen during this time, but staff members might not notice the issue. The patient may suffer harm because of this.
The thought of suffering harm when you’re seeking care at an emergency department is likely far from your mind. If you do end up becoming the victim of negligent triage or other issues in the emergency department, you may choose to seek compensation for any damages you suffer. Working with someone familiar with these cases can help you to learn what to expect and enable you to focus on healing while they take care of your case.
