Erie County health officials are urging residents to reserve emergency room visits and ambulance use for “true medical emergencies” due to the strain and delays they create for patients with severe respiratory symptoms and patient transfers.
Emergency medical service agencies and hospital system representatives have reported challenges in emergency rooms and ambulance crews are facing delays transfering patients to hospital care.
“Most people with influenza, a stomach bug (norovirus) or the common cold have self-limiting symptoms, which means that after a few days or a week of feeling miserable, and plenty of rest and fluids, symptoms end,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “There is a fine balance here: we do not want people to second guess calling 911 or going to the hospital. However, going to the [ER] with a minor cough or runny nose is a slower, less efficient and more expensive way to manage those symptoms. For non-urgent health concerns, [ER] waiting times are very long right now and you might catch another illness in the waiting room.”
These recommendations come as flu numbers are reportedly on the rise across New York, according to the latest report from the New York State Department of Health.
Health officials are encouraging alternatives for non-urgent medical needs, such as urgent care centers, primary care and telehealth services.
“When ambulances respond to a non-emergent call, they are not available when an emergency happens,” said ECDOH Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Medical Services Gregory Gill. “Once at the hospital, ambulances line up with all the patients arriving at the hospital. Patients are treated in hospital by severity of illness, not how they arrived, so going in by ambulance will not push you to the start of the line. And during that wait, that ambulance is out of service and not available to respond to emergencies.”