2/21 2:07 PM In regard to your son's trip to the hospital, I know that it is a tense time...but you must stay in control as much as possible. Do not ever simply turn your children over for treatment unless it is a trauma situation. Ask every question you can think of, especially what should be done and what is being done and when, in regard to the treatment. Always talk to a doctor, get his name and contact info and tell him exactly what you need to know...never get information from a nurse and never settle for not knowing what is happening and what you should be expecting.
Remember, you are hiring the doctor and the hospital to perform a service...you're the boss. Waiting around without hearing anything and nothing being done is for the birds. Demand answers and a timetable.
If you don't take control, there's no credibility in bitching about the result.
Hospitals get paid for having a patient in a bed...they will admit a patient from ER in a heart beat so that they can bill you for the room. They will warehouse a patient (as you found out) in the ER to get a room in which to admit them...when in fact there's no need for admission. You are in control here...not them. If you let them make all of the decisions, you will get a bill that fits their needs.
It would be a good time, now, to sit down with your Primary Care/Family Medicine/Pediatrician and plan on how to handle illnesses that arise when you have little to no access to them. Planning emergency healthcare (as much as possible...ie. whom to call after hours, what information to have handy when they call back, what to tell the answering service, which ER/hospital you prefer, how to deal with the physicians/hospital, etc.) will save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars and much grief. If your doc won't meet with you about this, get another doctor.
Latest Team Rankings
Yahoo! Sports
