Months later musings

I read an article recently discussing the huge drain on the health care system that unnecessary trips to the emergency department creates. Highly trained (and paid) and complex (therefore expensive) equipment is used often to confirm that yes indeed; your child has a cold. It reminded me of an experience I had about a year ago.

My oldest child is now 2 years old and he has already been to the emergency department twice. One of these trips I feel was justifiable when we thought he was having an allergic reaction and thought he was having trouble breathing. The second of which, while not really our fault, was most definitely NOT a good use of the hospitals time.

We had gone to visit my parents for the weekend. My son was being irritable, not sleeping, tugging at his ears, etc. Obviously my wife’s first thought was otitis media and we didn’t want to wait until Monday when we were back at home. We wanted our son to be able to sleep (and therefore to allow us to sleep). Visiting my parents is fun, but even the most fun plans can be ruined when nobody gets sleep.

It was Saturday so most clinics were closed. We called around and no pediatricians were open. The doctor’s office that my mom goes to, however, just so happened to be open. We called. “Sorry, we aren’t taking new patients,” the receptionist quipped.

“This wouldn’t be a new patient, we just need to have him checked out, and if necessary some antibiotics.”

“I’m sorry but we can’t see him.”

“You guys are the only open doctor office in town! What are we supposed to do then?”

“The emergency room is always open and cannot, by law, refuse treatment.”

…….

That’s right, the receptionist actually told us, more or less, that the emergency room would be a viable option for our situation. My mom was fairly upset that they wouldn’t take her grandson, especially considering she has been going there for some long amount of time. She called them and was angry, but ultimately still goes there. My mom is very loyal to service providers whether or not they deserve it. That, however, is the subject for another post.

Eventually my wife decides we should take our son in to the emergency department. We do. We see a doctor.

Guess what, no ear infection.

This emergency medicine specialist, who probably clears 300k a year, was relegated to ear checking duty. Here’s the kicker: You had to pay for it. That’s right, you footed my son’s bill. Being a student with kids in the state of Washington the government essentially throws money at you and also gives your children complete medical coverage. Thanks for that.

I felt pretty bad, you know, being part of the problem not the solution and all that jazz. But the thing that upset me the most was the receptionist. How many ear infections has she sent to the emergency departments? How many runny noses? How many coughs? How many other people like her are there answering phones?