PAPERWORK!!

[Bajanne]

I was reading a New York Times article about paperwork in medical circles and I couldn't help feeling that they realized what I just went through.  I live in British Caribbean island but to have my graft done, I had to go to an American island.   What a difference!!
If I have an medical problem over here during the night, I go to the hospital, pay the young lady at the reception $15 (if you don't have it, no problem), she fills out 1 form and I go and wait to see the doctor. He does what he has to do and I go home.
Well, I was in St.Thomas (US) to have my graft redone.  That night, I had that problem I told about in another post - my hand was icy cold and numb.  I was totally scared.  My friend took me to the hospital - the same one where I had had my graft done (I still had the band on my wrist!)
I reach the emergency section - I am taken to triage, where the young lady fills out a fom about me, my reason for coming, etc.  I am told to sit until I am called.
After some time a nurse comes and gets me.  She takes my vital signs, fills out my entire medical history, medication information, etc.  Then I am told to sit until I am called.
A lady to the front calls my name (loudly!) and I am told I have to sign some forms.  Then I sit until I am called.
The nurse comes back and takes me to an examining room.  I sit and wait for about 20 minutes.  A doctor comes up.  I tell him my problem. He holds my hand and say "Oh, it's not so bad.  Just make sure you sleep with it up". He is walking off.  He turns back and says 'do you want something to sleep". I say no and he leaves, telling me to wait there.
I wait for about 15 minutes.  I see a nurse passing and ask why I am still there.  She says "Oh there is paper work to be done".  My arm is hurting and I just want to get in my bed.
Another 10 minutes. I ask someone again.  "The paper work".  I said "It seems they do more paperwork here than peoplework."  After another 10 minutes, with absolutely nothing happening, I just got my friend and went home.
Is this the American Way?

[LifeOnHold]

Not quite... with the American Way, you wouldn't even be offered anything for sleep! 

[Rerun]

Life on Hold......  Glad to see you back!  I miss your "smart ass" comments!! 

Bajanne:  Welcome to America.  Your minimum bill will be $1,500 for an ER visit.  Sorry! 

My experience with ER is... only go if you are going to die because if you aren't sure what is wrong with you, they sure as hell can't figure it out and you get charged anyway!

[Epoman]

Life on Hold......  Glad to see you back!  I miss your "smart ass" comments!! 

Bajanne:  Welcome to America.  Your minimum bill will be $1,500 for an ER visit.  Sorry! 

My experience with ER is... only go if you are going to die because if you aren't sure what is wrong with you, they sure as hell can't figure it out and you get charged anyway!

Life on Hold......  Glad to see you back!  I miss your "smart ass" comments!! 
Yeah me too, I thought she abandoned us.  

Bajanne:  Welcome to America.  Your minimum bill will be $1,500 for an ER visit.  Sorry! 
Yeah if you don't have insurance, your in trouble.

My experience with ER is... only go if you are going to die because if you aren't sure what is wrong with you, they sure as hell can't figure it out and you get charged anyway!
Yeah I only go if I am throwing up blood, Literally. When I go to the ER I have so many problems I never have to wait. They just listen to my medical problems and BAM through the doors and onto a gurney.

[Bajanne]

It seems that what you are saying is true.  I asked my friend who  took me to the hospital how come they were so few people there.  The population of St.Thomas is much larger than Tortola, the island where I live and I only saw one other person there waiting.  In Tortola, there would have been a good group there.  She told me that people try whatever they can at home until the morning when they can go and see a doctor.  Only people with urgent, life-threatening emergencies go there.  She told me that before my process started. I should have paid attention and left then.
However, I was glad at least for the reassurance that my hand was not going to die and fall off!