The four things you must NEVER do in a medical emergency, according to an ER doctor

If a loved one suddenly collapses in the park or stops breathing at dinner, your instincts may quickly take over.

But doctors say you could save a life if you resist the urge to let emotions take over.

Dr John Torres, an emergency physician at Premier Urgent Care in Colorado Springs and senior medical contributor to NBC News, has revealed his list of the top four mistakes patients make in an emergency.

It comes after rapid CPR was credited with saving the life of Buffalo Bills’ footballer Damar Hamlin who suffered a freak heart injury that caused an on-field cardiac arrest.

Don’t call loved ones first

Believe it or not, when disaster strikes for many people their first response is to call a loved one — parent, child, or sibling — to ask for help.

But Dr Torres says that instead, the first point of call should always be to the emergency number 911.

He said that calling someone else wastes valuable time, that could be used to help treat the patient.

‘Once you get to the hospital, you can call everybody you want,’ Dr Torres said. ‘You have plenty of time.’

Doctors say driving someone to the hospital actually delays their treatment because ambulances are kitted out with medical devices that can help them

Don’t drive someone to the hospital

With an average ambulance ride now costing $1,277, according to FAIR Health, many are opting to drive their loved ones to hospital.

But Dr Torres notes that although this may seem faster, it actually delays a patient getting treatment.

This is because ambulances are kitted out with medical devices and staffed by medical professionals to help patients. 

Devices on board can include heart rate monitors and defibrillators, suction cups or aspirators that can clear airways, and incubators to keep patients warm.

Dr Torres adds that driving someone to the hospital can prove very distracting for the driver, raising the risk of accidents.

Hospitals in Wisconsin estimate that about 20 percent of patients that come to their emergency room are driven there, reports WEAU, with figures likely to be similar in other areas of the country.

You should also never leave a patient once they arrive at the hospital, but instead be on hand to explain to doctors what happened

Don’t leave someone in the emergency department

Once you have got someone to the emergency room, it may be tempting to think that your work is done.

But Dr Torres says you should stay with them to ensure they are well, and answer questions from doctors and nurses about what happened.

He said: ‘They’re not going to be thinking straight, especially if they’re hurting. So, [it’s important to] have somebody there who can ask questions.’

He added: ‘It’s OK to be pushy, but it’s not OK to be obnoxious.’

There have been a number of medical situations where patients say they only got the care they needed after pressuring doctors.

One of the most common mistakes people make is forgetting their phone chargers

Don’t forget your phone charger

We all do it: Whether it’s at the office or on a night out.

However, if you can remember it is vital to take the charger with you for a medical emergency.

Dr Torres said: ‘I can’t tell you how many times people come in and their cell phones die because you’re going to be there for six, 10 or 12 hours.’

Average emergency room waiting times stand at about two hours nationwide, but then the time seeing a doctor can be considerably longer.

Sometimes, patients can end up staying in hospital for days along with family members there to support them.

For comparison, the average phone may last for around 10 to 17 hours between charges depending on usage.

Record FOUR in 10 Americans put off medical care last year due to cost concerns – amid inflation 

 

High costs of medical care are keeping Americans away from the doctor’s office, a survey has found.

A poll published Tuesday by Gallup found that 38 percent of Americans are putting off medical treatment because of financial concerns — the highest ever recorded and up 12 percent from last year.

An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that insurance premiums — the monthly cost of coverage – have soared 47 percent from 2011 to 2021, while deductibles — the amount a person must pay before insurance kicks in — are up 68 percent over that period.

This is mixed with staggering jumps in the prices of prescription drugs, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reporting price increases upwards of 1,000 percent from 2016 to 2022.

Experts point to soaring inflation that has impacted nearly every facet of American life — combined with the upward pressure the Covid pandemic had on healthcare costs in recent years.