When is it a true emergency?
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden changes in vision or abdominal pain – all of these are reasons for a visit to the Emergency Room (ER).
"If you or your loved one think you need emergency care, come to St. Luke’s ER and have one of our doctors examine you," said Julie Beard, DO, St. Luke’s ER doctor. "It’s always best to play it safe and get checked out."
Each year, St. Luke’s ER treats 57,000 individuals. Some people are unsure of when to visit an ER, however, there are times when a trip is needed.
"Ultimately, you are probably the best judge of whether to seek emergency care," said Dr. Beard. "If you think you are having an emergency, come see us. We are specialists in diagnosing and treating all kinds of emergencies, including flu. Our doors are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year."
The signs of a medical emergency can also vary according to the age of the individual.
"A child may not be able to communicate their symptoms as easily as an adult," said Dr. Beard. "That’s why it’s important for parents to keep a close eye on their children for any changes in condition or behavior and take them to the ER if they have concerns."
In any emergency situation time is critical. Doctors need to know as much about the patient as quickly as possible to provide the best care and treatment – this means patients should bring a list of medications they are taking and contact information for their family doctor.
"If you think a medical condition is life-threatening or the individual’s condition will worsen on the way to the hospital, then you need to call 911 immediately," said Dr. Beard. "In the case of a true emergency getting to the hospital as quickly as possible is crucial and can mean the difference between life and death in many cases." It’s important to note that the order in which a patient is seen depends on the severity of their illness or injury. If a patient has to wait it’s because doctors are seeing patients who may have life-threatening injuries.
St. Luke’s is the first hospital in Cedar Rapids to post real-time ER and Urgent Care wait times online. Wait times are updated every two hours.
According to Dr. Julie Beard, the symptoms that require a trip to the ER include:
Difficulty breathing and/or shortness of breath
Chest or upper abdominal pain,or pressure in the chest area
Fainting spells or if an individual experiences sudden dizziness or weakness
Changes in vision
Confusion or sudden change in mental status
Uncontrolled bleeding
Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Coughing or vomiting blood
Suicidal or homicidal feelings
