When Should I Visit the Emergency Room?

Are you in pain or experiencing concerning symptoms and wondering when to go to the emergency room? You should seek emergency medical attention if you’re noticing sudden chest pain or pressure, unexplained numbness, shortness of breath, or sudden, stabbing pain.

What Indiana Hospitals Are Legally Required to Do in the ER

Many people worry about seeking treatment at a hospital emergency room because of their residency status or ability to pay. You should know that federal law protects you in these circumstances.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law, requires any hospital that receives Medicare payments to provide screening exams to anyone seeking treatment, regardless of the patient’s citizenship status, legal residency, or ability to pay. Found in Chapter, Section 1395dd of the United States Code, the law means that most emergency rooms must:

• Provide a medical screening examination (MSE) to determine if a patient has an emergency medical condition (EMC) and,
• If the patient does have a medical emergency, to provide stabilizing treatment.

Emergency physicians and staff must provide medical care regardless of whether or not a patient has health insurance.

Going to an urgent care clinic or walk-in clinic may be appropriate for treatment of minor cuts, sprains, low-grade fevers, or a sinus infection. But hospital emergency departments have the emergency team and resources to handle medical emergencies.

Common Signs You Should Seek Immediate ER Care Under Indiana Standards

Here are some of the most common emergency room symptoms to watch for. Do not put off seeking immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following life-threatening conditions:

• Chest pain, chest pressure, difficulty breathing, or numbness in the left arm, as these could indicate a heart attack
• Loss of balance, sudden dizziness, drooping face or eyes, difficulty speaking, or arm weakness, as these could indicate a stroke
• Uncontrolled heavy bleeding
• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, throat constriction, and severe hives, as these could suggest a serious allergic reaction

If you find yourself asking, “when should I visit the ER,” the answer is to go as soon as possible to determine whether you require emergency care. Putting off treatment for conditions that are considered emergencies could lead to serious, possibly even fatal consequences.

When Delayed Emergency Treatment Becomes a Legal Issue in Indiana

Emergency departments have a legal responsibility to treat patients promptly and in keeping with the recognized community standard of care. Healthcare providers can be held legally responsible if they deliver substandard care and harm a patient as a result.

Common ER errors include:

• Failing to take a patient’s health history and diagnose conditions in a timely manner
• Making preventable mistakes when triaging patients or providing emergency care
• Discharging patients early rather than keeping them for observation

In Indiana, when medical providers deviate from the recognized standard of care and cause preventable harm to patients, they can be held accountable for the consequences. The standard of care means the treatment course that would be provided by a similarly trained and experienced doctor or medical professional under similar circumstances.

Get Help from Our Indiana Medical Malpractice Attorney

Just as important as knowing when to seek emergency medical care is knowing when to get legal help. If you went to an Indiana hospital emergency room and the treatment caused you harm, the Indiana emergency room medical malpractice lawyer at the Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson is here to help. If you or your loved one has suffered preventable harm, you may have a right to pursue a medical malpractice claim. For nearly 20 years, attorney Kelley Johnson has focused solely on medical malpractice cases. Contact us today to request your free consultation.