Emergency Room Wait Times - Why Are They So Long? CEO explains.

In this episode of Talking with Docs, we are honored to host Melissa Farrell, CEO of Halton Healthcare and a prominent figure in the healthcare industry. Melissa joins us to discuss pressing topics such as the challenges of managing wait times in the healthcare system, strategies for reducing delays, and her insights into creating a more efficient and compassionate healthcare landscape. Tune in as we gain valuable perspectives from a leader dedicated to driving positive change in healthcare delivery.

Medical emergency
Do NOT use the Video for medical emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or CALL 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment based on anything you have seen or read on the Video.

General information is not medical advice
The general information provided on the Video is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider properly licensed to practice medicine or general healthcare in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Video and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Video. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program. Information obtained on the Video is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatmen

#healthcare #health #medical #medicine #doctor #hospital #nurse #doctors #healthylifestyle #wellness #healthy #coronavirus #healthyliving #surgery #pharmacy #nursing #nurses #love #fitness #care #nurselife #skincare #bhfyp #healthyfood #mentalhealth #healthcareworkers #selfcare #surgeon #science

[dexterlockhart]

I like that you have done videos with the CEO
1 Gives the other side of things
2 She obviously supports what you are doing here on this channel
👍👍

[RosaLopez-zwff]

I'm so thankful for the smaller urgent care facilities that have opened up in our area. This has saved beds for the most urgent care patients.

[SandiRose]

I'm just thrilled we don't have to wait so long for videos from our favorite Docs!! 🥰

[willothewispl]

I thank the Good Lord for our ER. There have been times when I was very ill. Thank goodness they were there to help me. God Bless the ER people .

[vickiepatterson]

So many people just run to the ER for things that aren't emergencies!
We have new urgent care facilities popping up everywhere! Their goal was to keep real non-emergencies out of the ER.
Plus, Urgent Care is much cheaper than the ER in a hospital Even insurance companies acknowledge that and your copay is usually in the range of $50 but it's more like $200-$500 at the ER!
This is a great public service announcement!
Thanks for sharing another great video!👍

[matthewgraham]

I'm 71 years old and had severe back pain, some chest and left arm pain also. I am not doing a commercial so I hope it doesn't sound like it, but give thanks where it's due. At 10:00 pm I go to an Adventist emergency room, not a hospital where they got me in immediately, did a scan, my back was fractured from Multiple Myeloma which I didn't know I had and I was transported to an Adventist hospital for surgery. I spent 30 days in the hospital and rehab and my treatment at both facilities could not have been better, I am grateful. I believe Doctors can tell by looking and asking a few quick questions as to how urgent your emergency is in most cases.

[billwilliams]

In my health system, you can get a virtual visit with a specially trained registered nurse that can authorize medication for simple problems. It’s all done online. a step up from that is a telephone visit from a medical doctor/nurse practitioner/physician assistant. And a step up from that is a video visit. All three of these happen with in a few minutes to an hour.
Only once did I choose to wait till the next day (it was a holiday)
Urgent care is open every day.
Advice nurses are available 24/7/365 with physician back up for more difficult advice situations.
Of course, then there is the ER

[q]

Glad to hear that long wait times are not just happening in the UK. We are often told that long wait times are due to poor organisation of resources, but the reality is that this is happening everywhere because demand will always outstrip supply.

[TorgerVedeler]

I have a basic rule for visits to the ER: The longer you wait, the better, because that means you aren’t about to die. I once waited for 12 hours in an ER with a kidney stone and was glad to do it (the stone passed after 6 hours). And I agree: always treat the ER staff nicely. Always.

[lynn]

The scariest thing ever was when I went to the ER super short of breath when I was pregnant. There was zero wait! The doctor and nurse RAN to meet me in the room while a nurse RAN my wheelchair to them. Scared the crud out of me to see them work that fast! Once they ruled out the scariest of stuff, I learned how urgent it was for them. I was definitely grateful, but still scared me. (I’m in the US).

[angelaharris]

I know this is because of prioritizing patients. Of course. I dont go to ER unless its truly an emergency. I broke my hip a couple years ago and they admitted me, but i couldnt get a bed till after my surgery the next day. I get it. At least they were very helpful making me comfortable in the ER room.

[Valuelady]

We don’t have a long wait here in the ER in Southwest Louisiana. Its pretty decent wait times! Thanks Docs!! ❤❤

[CKLee-rskl]

Fortunately I was taken to the ER via EMS, who ran an EKG on the way and gave me an aspirin. The cardiac surgeon was there 2 minutes after I was taken into a room in the ER and then to the cath lab for a stent. I spent more time trying to ignore my symptoms than the time it took to get EMS at my door, transport me to the ER and have the stent put in place. All emergency services should be as responsive and, if properly staffed, they could be.

[steveb.]

Sorry I am not sure if a buy your main reason, I came into emergence with a broken arm. I did not need a bed but it still waited 6 hours to get a cast on. My son in Oct. 2023 waited 5.5 hours for 6 stitches. Once again neither of us needed a bed or overnight stay. From friends and family I hear the same thing, even though you do not need a bed it takes 3 to 6 hours to get treated in a hospital in Ontario Canada.

.

[lonistewart]

Well, we know where to throw the blame for the mess but, lordy, they need to get this fixed!!!

[coyote]

It all comes down to one name with the initials D.F., in my area you are guaranteed a six hour wait.

[aelaan]

Six weeks ago I wasn't feeling myself, it turned out to be a reaction of my afib to my fever. Ambulance came, these people are so strong (you try to lift some 300+ pound 6'4" giant). I was completely out of it. Went straight to a room and put on antibiotics. Blood work came back, the doctors were sporadically showing up. Before I knew it, it was morning and I felt completely fine. I had been getting up by myself the later part of the night. They wanted to keep me another day, I convinced them I was doing much better. Hug for the doctor and my wife was ready to drive me home where I got the sleep I needed. I have been waiting in the hospital for 16 hours and know what stress these nurses and doctors go through daily. See for us, it is only one crappy night, for them, it is every night. 10 or 12 hours shifts, try to keep up with that. I know the government is telling us we will get more beds but who will staff these beds?

[neyral.castillo]

Well I think the problem is the need of more GPs to prevent people from going to the ER, people go because they don't have other option . We are waiting long for everything now is getting ridiculuos. My husband and I had to pay privately for MRI and byopsi and we've been waiting months to see the specialist. 🙏🙏

[donnalindsay]

I worked er Trenton 11-7 late night shift. We did our best in an inner city hospital. The sickest went first, next the children (I didn’t want kids see the horrors that came in. Of course there were the children that were left at 11 pm so mom and dad could go to Atlantic City leaving the hospital as the baby sitter. The constipations that came-handed them a fleets after X-ray showed no major complication and sent home to see their doc the next day.

[suechang]

Can you do a video to discern who should go to the ER vs Urgent Care?