7 Things That ER Nurses NEED You to Know

Emergency room (ER) nurses are incredible people. They work in a fast-paced environment where they provide immediate, acute care to patients of all ages presenting all kinds of conditions. ER nurses are responsible for stabilizing these patients before discharging those who are medically stable or transferring them to other departments such as the operating room, intensive care unit (ICU) or medical-surgical unit.

 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there were 155.4 million emergency room visits in the United States. While ER nurses are happy to help you with your medical emergency, they would be even happier if you were able to avoid the emergency room altogether.

U.S. News and World Report estimates that two-thirds of emergency room visits are avoidable, so here are a few things that ER nurses need you to know:

1. Go to the doctor BEFORE a health scare

Prevention is the best medicine. Too often, people go to the doctor only when they notice they have a problem. Having regular check-ups and routine procedures can help you identify symptoms, pre-existing conditions or negative lifestyle choices that, if left untreated, could land you in the ER.

For example, during a routine blood drawing, you may find out that you have high cholesterol. Your doctor may offer you medication or lifestyle changes to help manage your cholesterol levels. If you had not gone to the doctor, your high cholesterol may have resulted in a serious heart attack or stroke.

2. Practice safe driving techniques

In 2021, more than 1.8 million people were treated in ERs because they were not wearing seatbelts. In 2023, 23,959 vehicle occupants were killed, and nearly 50% of those killed were not buckled. It takes just a second to buckle your seatbelt, but this simple action may just save your life.

Distracted and impaired driving can also cause serious car accidents. Whether you are drinking alcohol, taking recreational and prescription drugs or using your phone while driving, you can unintentionally cause some serious accidents. The data support these warnings:

• In 2023, there were 12,429 preventable deaths in alcohol-impaired driving traffic accidents.
• 3,275 people were killed by distracted driving in 2023. Distracted driving includes talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle or fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system.
• Whether a drug is legal or illegal, drugs impair driving. 56% of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug.

Even if we drive every day, it is important not to become complacent about driving. Being an attentive driver could be the difference between life and death.

3. Don’t ignore chest pain

We all know the feeling. That tightening in your chest that feels like something is burning and squeezing your heart. Heartburn or muscle strain can be annoying, but not an immediate cause for concern. However, persistent or severe chest pain could be a symptom of a heart attack. Even if you aren’t sure if you are having severe indigestion or a heart attack, it is always better to err on the side of caution than to experience a life-threatening heart attack.

A common misconception is that a heart attack always comes with intense pain. Nausea, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath and pain that spreads to your shoulders, jaw, back, or arms can also indicate cardiac arrest. Heart attack symptoms can vary widely since you may have only mild chest discomfort while someone else has severe chest pain.

Never ignore heart attack symptoms, no matter how insignificant they seem. You will thank yourself later.

4. Watch your medications to avoid drug interactions

When medication works, it helps you feel better, but it can cause problems if it doesn't mix well with something else you put into your body. Drug-to-drug interactions occur when one medication negatively interacts with another medication.

There are many types of drugs you shouldn't take together. In general, you shouldn’t take two or more drugs that share an active ingredient. You could have side effects or an overdose. For example, taking multiple medications that cause sleepiness, like allergy medications and some prescription pain medications, could, at minimum, reduce your alertness, but at worst, could cause an overdose.

It is also possible to experience drug interaction with certain foods/drinks, like alcohol or specific medication supplements. If you are unsure whether you can mix or take specific medications, contact a local pharmacy or your medical practitioner.

5. Don’t ignore infections

“’Tis but a scratch” could be your famous last words if you let a small cut get infected.

While you don’t have to run to the ER every time you get a papercut, it is important to take these small injuries seriously. After receiving a cut or skin abrasion, clean the wound properly, monitor for signs of infection and don’t hesitate to visit a doctor if you notice any symptoms of an infection. Normally, even then, you don’t have to rush to the ER since your doctor can prescribe an antibiotic.

Take your antibiotic as prescribed. Even if you are feeling better and symptoms seem to be improving, continue taking your medication for the length of time prescribed. You want to make sure that your infection doesn’t return, spread or turn into sepsis.

Infections can be extremely serious if not treated properly, so make sure that you take your treatment very seriously.

6. Take head injuries very seriously

A headache can be treated at home with aspirin, but if you suffer a serious jolt, bump or blow to the head, you should plan on stopping at the emergency room. You could be experiencing a concussion, which may lead to physical, cognitive or emotional impairment.

Not all head injuries are life-threatening, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, it’s recommended that you stop at the ER:

• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to recognize people or places
• Trouble with balance or walking
• Repeated episodes of vomiting or nausea
• A worsening headache
• Sudden change in vision
• Unusual behavior or confusion
• Slurred speech or trouble speaking
• Difficulty falling asleep or waking up
• Uncontrollable drowsiness at inappropriate times
• Any seizure activity – uncontrollable shaking of the arms and/or legs
• Numbness or weakness of the arms and/or legs

The signs and symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately obvious and/or may worsen over time. Similar to a heart attack, ER nurses would rather you come in for nothing than have to treat you when your symptoms are beyond help.

7. Don’t come in if you don’t have a medical emergency

The name should explain it all: the ER is for emergencies. A medical emergency is an acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person's life or long-term health. However, a lot of individuals who come into the ER have complaints that do not require emergency care. Some non-emergency cases include:

• STD check
• Drug testing
• Pain that has been present for months to years and hasn’t changed.
• Wanting a definitive diagnosis
• Covid or flu testing with only mild symptoms
• New mole
• Pregnancy test
• Toe fungus

Now, this does NOT mean that you shouldn’t seek medical care. For these complaints, you should definitely see a medical practitioner, but none of these complaints require the immediate life-or-death treatment that the ER provides. You would be better suited for urgent care or schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor.

While you won’t be penalized for going to the ER when you don’t have to, you are taking away resources and time from the nurses who are trying to treat patients who ARE experiencing true emergencies.