Expect longer waits at local emergency rooms

(12/7/05 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- No one enjoys being in the emergency room. But this time of year, patients can expect a long wait.

Don't be surprised to wait and wait and wait if you go to a Houston hospital emergency room, especially on the weekend. And it's likely to only get worse if we begin seeing lots of people with flu in Houston.

"Every emergency department in the city now is overwhelmed," Dr. Joan Shook from Texas Children's Hospital told us.

And Texas Children's Hospital is typically one of the busiest hospitals in Houston. Dr. Shook has headed the Texas Children's Hospital emergency department for years.

"It's turning into a pretty tough period of the year," said Dr. Shook.

In many Houston emergency rooms, the wait is now six hours. Why? Because of many Louisiana patients who have no Houston doctors, Houston families who delay treatment too long, and busy Houston family doctors who are now sending complicated cases to the emergency room.

"Not only are the emergency departments full, but also are the inpatient areas and so you could be in for a long wait if you come to the emergency department," said Dr. Shook.

At Texas Children's Hospital, many young patients are coming in sick with viruses and others have asthma attacks that are triggered by a virus. And everyone is waiting for the flu to hit.

"We haven't seen much flu yet," said Dr. Shook. "We know it's coming. There's the tiniest bit of influenza in the north part of town, but it's not too late for people to get their flu vaccine."

Physicians say try to keep your family out of the ER this holiday season by watching the holiday injuries. They've already had a child in who ate a glass Christmas ornament. Also, try to go to your own doctor before a health problem becomes an emergency.

"Call your doctor or your clinic's office, or if you have an opportunity for an 'Ask a Nurse' lines, I would use those resources before I came in," said Dr. Shook. "There's a lot of home care that can be done before coming into the emergency department."

As far as the status of other hospitals -- at St. Luke's, the hospital is full. The ER is not. At Methodist's ER, the wait can be two to three hours on a busy night. Memorial Hermann in the Medical Center is three-quarters full, its Children's Hospital is even fuller. The Hermann emergency center stays busy. If you need a doctor after hours, one option is the 'Ask a Nurse' line. It's a question line operated by Harris County. That number is 713-633-2255.
(Copyright © 2005, KTRK-TV)

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