While it’s true that countless lives are saved in emergency rooms, going to the ER is not a solution for every medical concern— certainly not for your primary care needs. Unless your condition or injury is life-threatening or requires immediate treatment, an ER visit may only leave you with more problems than solutions.
Below are five reasons you want to avoid going to the emergency room for your primary care needs.
Reason #1 Emergency Room Visits Are Expensive.
On average, a visit to a primary care physician can cost you around $150. An ER visit, on the other hand, can cost you $1,000 or more.
Unless you want to blow a fortune or burn through your nest egg, visiting your internal medicine or family medicine doctor for your health concerns remains your best bet, as your PCP can provide you with comprehensive care. If your medical problem requires advanced treatment, your primary care physician can coordinate your care with the right specialist.
Reason #2 Emergency Departments Offer a Longer Wait Time.
Keep in mind that in emergency rooms, people in life-threatening medical situations are given priority. This means you might have to wait for hours to get treated for a minor illness.
If you equate the same problem with visiting your primary care physician, ask them about telehealth appointments. More and more primary care physicians offer virtual appointments, so patients can have convenient access to their care when an in-office visit is not possible.
Reason #3 ER Healthcare Providers Are Not Aware of Your Medical History.
As if getting stuck in the waiting room for hours weren’t bad enough, consider all the aggravation you might experience when you have to hash over your symptoms with someone who has no knowledge about your medical history. You can avoid all the unnecessary hassle by visiting your primary care physician, as they know your medical history, which can give an important clue as to what’s going on with your health
Reason #4 ER Healthcare Providers Don’t Offer Care Required for Chronic Conditions.
Emergency room personnel aren’t equipped to provide long-term care for chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and arthritis, as they are chiefly trained to stabilize acute conditions or injuries.
While ER healthcare providers can provide treatment when you have a hypertensive crisis or diabetic emergency, they will still point you back to your primary care physician and/or specialist after your condition gets stabilized.
Reason #5 Emergency Rooms Have a Higher Risk of Disease Transmission.
In even the cleanest hospitals with the most stringent precautionary measures, infectious diseases can still lurk in operating suites, waiting rooms, and every space in between—thus the term “hospital-acquired infection.” Being in an ER waiting room means your chances of sitting next to someone who could have an infectious disease are far greater.
Primary Care Physician in Irmo, SC
At SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, LLC, our board-certified primary care physicians provide time-tested, evidence-based treatments and disease prevention strategies. On top of that, we offer a vast array of ancillary services – including telehealth appointments —cos we believe that health care should be convenient, comfortable, and accessible.
Arrange a visit with one of our primary care physicians today. Contact our staff at (803) 749-1111. You may also send an appointment request using our convenient form. We look forward to providing you with the highest quality of primary care!
