We have all had to go to the emergency room at some point, either ourselves or with a family member. This stressful experience is only made worse by how long you have to wait and the situation is not getting better. According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School researchers, Emergency Room waits increased an average of 36 percent between 1997 and 2004. There are too many patients and not enough beds.

The emergency department has a triage system in place to decide who really needs urgent care. Except in obvious cases, you should always call your primary care doctor before heading to the emergency room to assure that your condition is urgent and warrants an ER visit. And even in the obvious cases, you should also call your primary care physician while you are on your way to the emergency room. Their input can be invaluable!

Going to the ER can be even more challenging for seniors, individuals with disabilities, individuals that cannot speak English and others that have difficulty communicating. I have some tips that may help shorten your wait time in the ER.

You should have a primary care doctor that knows your medical history. Before going to the ER you should contact your health insurance carrier or your doctor’s office and find out what are your options if you have a non-urgent medical need. There may be an after hour medical center that is open after your doctor’s office is closed. You do not want to go the ER for non-urgent symptoms because once triaged you will end up waiting for hours. It is a good idea for you to carry important medical information with you at all times.

On an index card you can jot down the following information:

• Your name and date of birth
• Your doctor’s name and phone number
• Pertinent Medical History
• Allergies to food or drugs
• List of medications and the dosage

You should keep this information in your purse or wallet. It will help the health professionals in the ER to treat you in a timely manner. As I mentioned above this information is crucial for care to seniors and any person that has communication challenges.