The $200 popsicle

Working peds ER this week has really opened my eyes when it comes to how ignorant the layperson is when it comes to all things medical. I consider myself to be a somewhat cynical person, but despite that I was still giving most people more credit than they really deserved. I have seen kids brought into the emergency room for the STUPIDEST of reasons. In just the few days I was there, at least 50-60% of the kids brought in had no business whatsoever being brought to the hospital. I can't even imagine the millions and millions of dollars that are wasted every year because of these people. The kicker in all of this is that most of them are covered by medicaid, meaning taxpayers are footing the bill for these bogus visits.

When I was a kid I hardly ever went to the hospital, even when I was sick for days at a time. All it takes these days is one fever and moms are trotting in their 4 kids into to ER and freaking out about what could be wrong with them. Even better is the look they give you when you tell them it's more than likely something viral and there are no antibiotics that can be prescribed. Telling people to use ice is tantamount to reinventing the wheel for some of these people. I mean isn't that common knowledge that when you get a bruise or hurt a joint ice helps with the swelling?

Most of the kids walking into the ER receive no real treatment and walk out with a popsicle and stickers. It's a pretty expensive trip if you ask me, and until something is done (like adding a co-pay to medicaid) the system is going to be continually abused. The emergency room has now become a substitute for the primary care physician for many, and this can have nothing but bad results written all over it.

Comments

[Kelly]

I totally agree and it doesn't just happen at civilian hospitals. It happens at clinics and hospitals on military bases alot because the care is free. Pretty amazing the way people abuse the system.