Arizona ERs rated D
Anyone who has had occasion to visit an emergency room in Tucson probably already knew this.
Arizona gets a D when it comes to providing emergency-room care.
The average rating nationwide is C-, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians, which has compiled its first report card on the nation’s emergency medical-care system. The grade ranks Arizona 42nd in the nation.
January 15th, 2006 at 8:35 am
My one and only experience with an emergency room in Tucson recently would cause me to award an A grade. It was at UMC, a trauma center, which perhaps makes the difference, but were it not for the care I received, I am advised by other medical personnel I would have lost my leg. Thus I realize my view is probably scewed, and I know I am not qualified to make medical judgments, but the point is that not every experience in an Arizona ER can be judged as only worthy of a D grade.
January 15th, 2006 at 10:37 am
My family and I have had several experiences with ERs in several Tucson hospital. It makes a difference on how you arrive. Come by ambulance, and you usually get taken care of quickly and professionally.
Walk in, and it’s a different story. I have waited for 6-8 hours in the ER waiting room for me or a family member to get in, get admitted and moved in a room. Not once, but on several occasions.
My complaint is not with the quality of care. It’s about the non-availability of sufficient ER medical staff and beds. So what does St. Mary’s Hospital do? Enlarge the ER! Without sufficient beds, the ER just becomes a holding area for those fortunate enough to get in.
Here’s a quote from the linked article: