ER confusion

E.R. Patients Often Left Confused After Visits

By LAURIE TARKAN

Published: September 15, 2008

In this article it talks about a study where they talked to about 140 E.R. patients after they left the E.R. and measured their understanding of 4 areas; their diagnosis, their E.R. treatment, instructions for their at-home care and warning signs of when to return to the hospital. The study found that about 78% did not understand one area or more and about 50% did not understand more than 2 areas.

I found this incredible because I didn't think that doctors could be so ambiguous about how a patient should take care of themselves. It is scary because it is part of a doctors job to make sure the patient know how to take care of themselves. If they don't do this, it could cause a patient to get worse.