Hospitals offering ER appointments

In order to avoid long waits in the emergency room (ER), several hospitals are offering patients the option of making appointments online.

 

In an effort to reduce crowding and wait times, hospitals like St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, are allowing patients the convenience of going online, filling out a form explaining the reason for the visit, and then selecting a time to come in.

 

In addition to being convenient for patients, online appointments also provide emergency staff with advance knowledge of the type of treatments patients will require before they walk through the door.

 

However, patients with serious life-threatening emergencies such as chest pains or trouble breathing are advised not to make online appointments and instead should to call 911 or come to the ER immediately.

 

Critics of online ER appointments have argued that the system may encourage patients to visit ERs more rather than visiting urgent care centers or medical offices, which are less expensive, in non-emergency situations. In response, some online booking systems offer patients the option of finding nearby urgent care centers.