” I often see people who have waited for 4-8 hours to be seen for their “flu” or “cold” and I have nothing more to offer than medications that are available over the counter when I see them”

What you need to remember is probably half of them called their pcp’s office and were told by some minimum wage secretary to “go directly to the ER” so it’s not their fault they showed up in the ER.

There is no shortage of “experts” here completely qualified to practice medicine. I am baffled that there still remains 20 people in my ER waiting room

OH Yeah,

When PCP’s send people over for admission and there are no beds, the admitting dept directs them to the ER. Somehow nurses upstairs can’t take extra patients but ER nurses can. Hallways upstairs can’t be used but ER hallways can.

The public thinks (or hopes) the ER will be ready for them when they are sick. Ha Ha. The system is broke.