Where to?
October 8, 2015 3:12 PM
I'm supposed to go to an ER. Which one? I'm in Manhattan.
I'm staring at a list on my insurance company's website. *shrugs* I don't know the hospitals here. I'd like to be seen by the most competent people I can be.
I'm staring at a list on my insurance company's website. *shrugs* I don't know the hospitals here. I'd like to be seen by the most competent people I can be.
Thank you, bearwife. Just to clarify that it's not THAT much of an emergency: I first started having pain on Sunday afternoon and saw my PCP on Monday and got an EKG, which was normal. My PCP said if I had the pain again I should go to the ER. I think it's a bit of overkill since I'm young and healthy with no family history, but I'm mostly doing it to be cautious. I've had the pain since the morning and am probably just going to walk to wherever I go. I ran five and a half miles this morning.
posted by unannihilated at 3:23 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 3:23 PM on October 8, 2015
So, my mom had blood clots and was very casual about taking her blood thinners. (She was a very good doc herself.) The last day of her life she had forgotten again to take them and called her doctor. He said go to the ER at once. But it was too late because she died shortly after arrival. Hint.
Just go. Your PCP will be in touch with them after your arrival.
posted by bearwife at 3:26 PM on October 8, 2015
Just go. Your PCP will be in touch with them after your arrival.
posted by bearwife at 3:26 PM on October 8, 2015
If it's enough of an emergency to go to the ER, go to the nearest one. Emergency Rooms aren't really an "in network" kind of thing.
posted by Sara C. at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by Sara C. at 3:27 PM on October 8, 2015
FYI - the two I recommended have pretty high wait times. FWIW I've been to NYU (but not the ER) and had a fine experience there - they are first on this list with a short wait time NYC ER Wait times
posted by rdnnyc at 3:28 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by rdnnyc at 3:28 PM on October 8, 2015
I agree with the answer "the nearest one." People do have their preferences, but in Manhattan, you should be fine at any ER.
But if you want reassurance, can you be more specific about what hospitals are on your insurance's list and in your neighborhood? Not that I really think you should even waste time on this question. Honestly, it seems foolish to not just get up and go to the nearest one.
Because you know, really, they are all fine. Beth Israel, NYU, New York Hospital, St. Luke's, Presbyterian, whatever -- just go! I wouldn't even worry about wait times. They will triage you. Just let them know you are there for chest pain.
posted by merejane at 3:31 PM on October 8, 2015
But if you want reassurance, can you be more specific about what hospitals are on your insurance's list and in your neighborhood? Not that I really think you should even waste time on this question. Honestly, it seems foolish to not just get up and go to the nearest one.
Because you know, really, they are all fine. Beth Israel, NYU, New York Hospital, St. Luke's, Presbyterian, whatever -- just go! I wouldn't even worry about wait times. They will triage you. Just let them know you are there for chest pain.
posted by merejane at 3:31 PM on October 8, 2015
Just posting again to say that checking your posts, I see that you did not specify chest pain. I assume that's what you're talking about though, because you did say you had an E.K.G. If that is the case, again, tell them you are having chest pain, at whatever ER you go to.
posted by merejane at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by merejane at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2015
I agree with the nearest one. I put off going to an ER because of insurance issues (namely, I didn't have any), and ended up in the hospital for a week with serious stuff. The hospital worked with me on billing. You have insurance, and they/the hospital will work with you on billing. Please go :-) Your health is worth more than potential debt.
posted by ChuraChura at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by ChuraChura at 3:35 PM on October 8, 2015
Yes, I'm having chest pain and some shortness of breath. I don't think I see NYU on here, but all the others that have been named so far are on the list. As well as others. I've heard these horror stories - just want to make sure I go to a good one since I have the luxury of selecting.
posted by unannihilated at 3:38 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 3:38 PM on October 8, 2015
Oh, and I'm in Midtown East at the moment.
posted by unannihilated at 3:41 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 3:41 PM on October 8, 2015
Don't fool around with chest pain and shortness of breath.
Please go to the nearest ER right NOW.
Don't walk -- take a taxi or uber. Ask the driver to take you to the nearest ER.
Call a family member or friend, and have them meet you at the ER. All ER patients need an advocate.
Do this now.
posted by valannc at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2015
Please go to the nearest ER right NOW.
Don't walk -- take a taxi or uber. Ask the driver to take you to the nearest ER.
Call a family member or friend, and have them meet you at the ER. All ER patients need an advocate.
Do this now.
posted by valannc at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2015
Oh my god, chest pain and shortness of breath? I was hoping that you had already left. Trust me, they are all fine! Just go to the nearest one!
But if you really need a recommendation, New York Hospital is very good. (I used to work there. Not in the ER, but still.) So if it's close -- their ER is at 68th & York -- then go there. But if there's a closer ER, go to that one! Like, now!
posted by merejane at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2015
But if you really need a recommendation, New York Hospital is very good. (I used to work there. Not in the ER, but still.) So if it's close -- their ER is at 68th & York -- then go there. But if there's a closer ER, go to that one! Like, now!
posted by merejane at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2015
On preview, follow valannc's advice -- get in a taxi, ask them to take you to the nearest ER. Now.
posted by merejane at 3:48 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by merejane at 3:48 PM on October 8, 2015
Because you really don't have the luxury of selecting. Time is of the essence with those symptoms.
posted by merejane at 3:59 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by merejane at 3:59 PM on October 8, 2015
Argh, you are right on top of Presbyterian, Sinai, and Lenox, all superb hospitals. Yet your last comment was at least 20 minutes after you posted, and it sounds like the pain has been around half a week and you also have shortness of breath.
Young healthy people can die too. Heart issues benefit from immediate attention. And your PCP told you to go to an ER if this recurred. So please listen to your MeFi audience and your doctor and leave at once if you haven't already, for the nearest ER.
posted by bearwife at 4:04 PM on October 8, 2015
Young healthy people can die too. Heart issues benefit from immediate attention. And your PCP told you to go to an ER if this recurred. So please listen to your MeFi audience and your doctor and leave at once if you haven't already, for the nearest ER.
posted by bearwife at 4:04 PM on October 8, 2015
If I hadn't seen my PCP (who said I had no cardiac risk factors and wasn't even ready to refer me to a cardiologist), had a normal EKG, experienced this on Sunday/Monday and run every morning this week I'd feel more worked up about it.
That said, I have left, headed to Weill Cornell, and I very much appreciate all your concern. (As do my doting parents, I'm sure, would I ever dare tell them.)
posted by unannihilated at 4:12 PM on October 8, 2015
That said, I have left, headed to Weill Cornell, and I very much appreciate all your concern. (As do my doting parents, I'm sure, would I ever dare tell them.)
posted by unannihilated at 4:12 PM on October 8, 2015
You clearly are not taking this lightly and I think people are not reacting appropriately given that you've had a clear EKG. You have seen your PCP and are following her instructions to go to the ER if the pain recurs. There is nothing wrong with wanting you know you should not go to St.Luke's-Roosevelt but should go to Lenox Hill, if you have a choice.
FWIW I spent 3 hours in the ER last night with the exact same thing: chest pain and shortness of breath, which I would have put down to bronchitis but I also have pain in my arm. I was advised by the nurse line to call and ambulance which would have taken me to Hospital A; instead I walked into Hospital B. I walked home 3 hours later after a clear EKG, blood test and chest xray with the diagnosis of a viral infection around the heart. All is well. I hope it is for you too.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:48 PM on October 8, 2015
FWIW I spent 3 hours in the ER last night with the exact same thing: chest pain and shortness of breath, which I would have put down to bronchitis but I also have pain in my arm. I was advised by the nurse line to call and ambulance which would have taken me to Hospital A; instead I walked into Hospital B. I walked home 3 hours later after a clear EKG, blood test and chest xray with the diagnosis of a viral infection around the heart. All is well. I hope it is for you too.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:48 PM on October 8, 2015
Please update when you are all checked up.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:11 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:11 PM on October 8, 2015
I'm chilling in the waiting room after they did an EKG, took urine and blood, and someone listened to my lungs. They're going to wait on the results of those, then if there's nothing wrong there, send me home. And I should see a cardiologist.
posted by unannihilated at 5:21 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 5:21 PM on October 8, 2015
Does the position of your upper body change the pain/shortness of breath?
Lean back/recline - more pain/shortness of breath
Lean forward - no pain - no breath issues
IANYD, but these symptoms could be pericarditis. This is inflamation of the sack around the heart, and can typically be treated with antibiotics.
I had this, and spent 3 nights in the hospital, due to other cardiac history. If I did not have history, I do not think I would have spent 1 night in the hospital.
posted by bonofasitch at 6:18 PM on October 8, 2015
Lean back/recline - more pain/shortness of breath
Lean forward - no pain - no breath issues
IANYD, but these symptoms could be pericarditis. This is inflamation of the sack around the heart, and can typically be treated with antibiotics.
I had this, and spent 3 nights in the hospital, due to other cardiac history. If I did not have history, I do not think I would have spent 1 night in the hospital.
posted by bonofasitch at 6:18 PM on October 8, 2015
Changing position doesn't affect either the chest pain or shortness of breath one way or the other. Still chilling at the hospital waiting for results.
posted by unannihilated at 7:00 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 7:00 PM on October 8, 2015
I'm going to be here forever. EKG normal. More tests. I thought they would just let me go home after they established I wouldn't keel over.
posted by unannihilated at 8:50 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 8:50 PM on October 8, 2015
Not to be a downer, but I once got trapped in the hospital after Not A Heart Attack for 48 hours. You may well be there forever.
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 9:48 PM on October 8, 2015
posted by The Noble Goofy Elk at 9:48 PM on October 8, 2015
Released. All tests normal but supposed to follow up with a cardiologist.
posted by unannihilated at 12:13 AM on October 9, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 12:13 AM on October 9, 2015
Oh, and I guess to address the actual question: I was happy with the care I received at Weill Cornell/Presbyterian. Everyone was attentive and nice.
posted by unannihilated at 1:53 AM on October 9, 2015
posted by unannihilated at 1:53 AM on October 9, 2015
This is all wrapped up but I wanted to leave a note here for posterity regarding some of the suggestions that you have gotten that you just ask your taxi/Uber driver to take you to the nearest er. In NYC I've had cabbies who didn't know where the javits center, brooklyn bridge park, and Lincoln center were. If anyone reads this i would strongly suggest knowing where you want to be taken before getting in the cab - many drivers are, I'm sure, quite nice, but I'd be deeply afraid of trusting their local neighborhood knowledge for my medical care.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 5:01 AM on October 9, 2015
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 5:01 AM on October 9, 2015
Also, just for posterity... If it's enough of an emergency to go to the ER, go to the nearest one. Emergency Rooms aren't really an "in network" kind of thing.
This is not true in New York City, even just in Manhattan. Our hospitals range from incredibly good to total garbage, particularly in the ER. At one Manhattan hospital, for example, my ex sat in the waiting room having a cardiac event untreated for several hours.
That being said, if you are having these symptoms do proceed directly to an ER, time is quite important.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 6:21 AM on October 9, 2015
This is not true in New York City, even just in Manhattan. Our hospitals range from incredibly good to total garbage, particularly in the ER. At one Manhattan hospital, for example, my ex sat in the waiting room having a cardiac event untreated for several hours.
That being said, if you are having these symptoms do proceed directly to an ER, time is quite important.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 6:21 AM on October 9, 2015
Yes, I wouldn't have done anything differently, and I agree with DarlingBri, Exceptional_Hubris, and RJ Reynolds, not that I don't appreciate all the concern that poured out. NYC is not London - the cab drivers are not required to have in-depth knowledge of the city, and they don't. They often don't even have basic knowledge. Someone from Uber would probably just plug "ER" into Google.
I carefully weighed my risk factors and past medical history and felt I had the extra time to consider the resources available to me. I think the hour or so I took to do that saved more far time in the long run with getting seen in a timely manner (I did get an EKG pretty quickly though of course when it was established I wasn't an emergency I had to wait.) and getting quality care. If I were having a stroke where minutes counted, it would have been a different story.
I also recommend getting information about the hospitals around you before you need them!
posted by unannihilated at 8:01 AM on October 9, 2015
I carefully weighed my risk factors and past medical history and felt I had the extra time to consider the resources available to me. I think the hour or so I took to do that saved more far time in the long run with getting seen in a timely manner (I did get an EKG pretty quickly though of course when it was established I wasn't an emergency I had to wait.) and getting quality care. If I were having a stroke where minutes counted, it would have been a different story.
I also recommend getting information about the hospitals around you before you need them!
posted by unannihilated at 8:01 AM on October 9, 2015
FYI there is a quality measure for ERs about EKG timing: at any ER you go to across the nation you should always get an EKG done and looked at by a physician within 10 minutes. But if the EKG looks fine you still may wait hours for care.
As your friendly neighborhood ER doc I would also like you to know that "cardiac risk factors" aren't the only consideration for whether chest pain is dangerous or not. There are plenty of chest-pain-causing pathologies that can kill you that have nothing to do with whether you have high cholesterol or coronary artery disease. Glad you got a clean bill of health but don't hesitate to go back for a recheck if symptoms worsen or new and concerning symptoms arise.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 8:10 PM on October 9, 2015
As your friendly neighborhood ER doc I would also like you to know that "cardiac risk factors" aren't the only consideration for whether chest pain is dangerous or not. There are plenty of chest-pain-causing pathologies that can kill you that have nothing to do with whether you have high cholesterol or coronary artery disease. Glad you got a clean bill of health but don't hesitate to go back for a recheck if symptoms worsen or new and concerning symptoms arise.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 8:10 PM on October 9, 2015
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posted by rdnnyc at 3:21 PM on October 8, 2015