Not too long ago, WBill Jr. fell and put a good-sized gouge in his head. Nothing life threatening, but it was messy and definitely needed stitches. Since the only Urgent Care in the area was closed, off to the ER we went.
The doc (actually, a nurse and a PA) did good work. Very little scarring, which isn't all that critical when it comes to boys, anyway.
However, in the several hours I spent in the ER, I paid attention to who all was there. IMO, my kid was the only one who belonged - the only "emergency" involving the ABC's (airway,breathing, circulation) - and we were only there because the ER was the only local option.
There were a couple of dozen people there. Lots and lots of broken English being spoken; made me wonder if I was covering their visits, too. Most of the patients were suffering from an array of earaches, sore throats, and sniffles. The older lady next to me was complaining of heart pains..."Hmmm", I thought, "Someone who OUGHT to be here.......".
The doc then asked how long she'd been having them. "Three days." Nevermind.
and then there those who just want narcotics....they know exactly what to say....they know exactly what to say they're "allergic" to....mostly all over the counter meds like aleve, motrin etc...none of that stuff for them nosireee....and, they'd prefer dilaudid, and make it quick....and give them a dose of phenergan iv and then bendadryl iv because all three give them some kind of high.....
In college, I had to go to the ER to pick up a few roommates up who had driven with a friend who injured their leg. While waiting I remember listening to a Hispanic women complain that the told her to go to the drug store to get some OTC cold medicine, for a cold that started the prior day.