Good News and Bad News

[keepcoming]

Without getting into the Health Care system woes as it is off topic sometimes the Emergency Room is all that is available to some. I worked in healthcare for a long time, so I do know the issues involved when people start treating the Emergency Rooms like their physician office. But there is much more involved so calling people "losers" is not really correct. And unfortunately, with the current situation (Covid, Delta, Omicron,etc...) some people are scared so they feel better going to the Emergency Room just in case. Again, as I said sometimes the Emergency Room is all that is available to some.

 

[william webster]

I agree - we all seem to be a bit paranoid these days..... emergency ?..... not sure

 

[josh2203]

Many years ago I went to the emergency room because I had bad flu symptoms. I could hear bubbling in my chest when lying on my back. The doctor told me if I did not get in when I did it would have turned into pneumonia in short order. I am a loser?

I think it's good to differentiate here exactly what are those symptoms... While do partially agree with what Big said originally in this thread, I think that's valid if the symptoms are those of a common cold/flu and you don't have any condition that might make that worse... Obviously, "bubbling in my chest", with that, even I would be concerned... That still might be a flu/cold, but the point is the gravity of the symptoms here...

I also do not have much respect for those people who really do not need medical attention but panic and seek that anyway... Why, because then those really in need have less resources available for them. Asthma, fever, bronchitis (which I have had) any other things that might negatively affect you even with the simplest common cold, yes, you have to take that more seriously...

 

[malko]

Obviously some folks have 0 idea of the reality on the ground in the DR......
Your " local physician " works 2 days a week from 11pm to 3 pm with an hour lunch break somewhere in there. That is when there is a local physician.
A local pharmacy generally has no clue, at least around my parts---- not that local ER have a clue either, mind you : they'll just send you onewards to POP or Santiago, by your own means, of course.

 

[La Profe_1]

if one goes to the emergency room, especially in this day and age for a sore throat, cold or flu symptoms he/she is an inconsiderate loser. A doctor can call in a prescription. Chico Bill was spot on with his story.

Like Keepcoming, I am asthmatic. I had an issue with my breathing recently, called my doctor, went in to be examined and had two follow-up phone calls with her office.

On Friday at 3 PM she called again and instructed me that I SHOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE ER if my breathing worsened over the weekend.

Fortunately I didn't need to do that, but how could I possibly be a "loser" if I followed my own doctor's instructions?

 

[keepcoming]

Like Keepcoming, I am asthmatic. I had an issue with my breathing recently, called my doctor, went in to be examined and had two follow-up phone calls with her office.

On Friday at 3 PM she called again and instructed me that I SHOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE ER if my breathing worsened over the weekend.

Fortunately I didn't need to do that, but how could I possibly be a "loser" if I followed my own doctor's instructions?

I truly understand, having asthma makes even the simplest cold/flu harder. Of the doctors I have seen in Santo Domingo, most refer me to the Emergency Room for breathing treatments. Depending on your O2 levels most physicians prefer to "play" it safe and refer you to the Emergency Room. That has been my experience.

 

[SKY]

I truly understand, having asthma makes even the simplest cold/flu harder. Of the doctors I have seen in Santo Domingo, most refer me to the Emergency Room for breathing treatments. Depending on your O2 levels most physicians prefer to "play" it safe and refer you to the Emergency Room. That has been my experience.

You have to listen to the DR1 "Experts" if you can't breath. Just stay home and die............I laugh at these guys..................

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I truly understand, having asthma makes even the simplest cold/flu harder. Of the doctors I have seen in Santo Domingo, most refer me to the Emergency Room for breathing treatments. Depending on your O2 levels most physicians prefer to "play" it safe and refer you to the Emergency Room. That has been my experience.

There are things happening in asthmatics that are distinct from conditions caused by pulmonary bacteria or viral infection. Here in DR, you will always be examined with 15 dollar device found on Amazon called a pulse oximeter. What asthmatics tend to require after an attack, if serious, is an arterial blood gas, as the CO2 and pH can move significantly after an attack. It is a tricky procedure and you will not find it done here in most places. They will perform the IR finger scan and sit you on a OXY pump for a half hour. However, you may need treatment for the pH imbalance and CO2. The danger is a condition called lactic acidosis. Mild asthmatics generally are not at risk.

 

[Big]

You have to listen to the DR1 "Experts" if you can't breath. Just stay home and die............I laugh at these guys..................

I totally agree, I chuckle at people who go to the E.R for a cold, comedy at it's finest.

 

[melphis]

A pharmacy won't do anything for you in Canada.

You should bring that up on a Canadian forum. Not really sure what it has to do with the Dominican

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I totally agree, I chuckle at people who go to the E.R for a cold, comedy at it's finest.

If cannot breathe, and i don't mean a stuffy nose, or am having trouble breathing where i feel things are going south fast, I will call 911 here in DR. If i am sneezing with a sore throat i will call Jose at the pharmacy and order up a Dominican Robitussin and two aspirin

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

You should bring that up on a Canadian forum. Not really sure what it has to do with the Dominican

Canada and apparently Florida have dominated the forums of late. These are pivotal hot beds of pandemic data.

 

[malko]

If cannot breathe, and i don't mean a stuffy nose, or am having trouble breathing where i feel things are going south fast, I will call 911 here in DR. If i am sneezing with a sore throat i will call Jose at the pharmacy and order up a Dominican Robitussin and two aspirin

If one chuckles at people who go to the ER for a cold and/or chuckles at dr1 experts on < insert as much stuff as you like, it's the internet > , then you all should be rolling over the floor laughing at the guy who relies on 911 when they can't breathe and things are going south.

You can't make this up !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

If one chuckles at people who go to the ER for a cold and/or chuckles at dr1 experts on < insert as much stuff as you like, it's the internet > , then you all should be rolling over the floor laughing at the guy who relies on 911 when they can't breathe and things are going south.

You can't make this up !!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

God bless you Malko and happy New Year! I actually would have to call 911 here because I am poor and don't have transportation. To get to the ER in an emergency, that's my only recourse, as it is for soooo many Dominicans as well. I wish you and your family the best in 2022

 

[malko]

God bless you Malko and happy New Year! I actually would have to call 911 here because I am poor and don't have transportation. To get to the ER in an emergency, that's my only recourse, as it is for soooo many Dominicans as well. I wish you and your family the best in 2022

And a happy new year to you and your's too.

Many Dominicans will rely on a neighbor/friend/family for transportation to an ER. And/or a carro publico, even in the middle of the night.


Last interaction I had with 911, a motorbike side swept a guy on the side of the road. And he was in a bad state, unconscious, multiple injuries, etc ...... 911 operator told us to get him to a nearby town, maybe 15km away....... As they " don't provide coverage " . Ok..... I still got there before the 911 ambulance 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔.

And that was after the guy had been transported to the local hospital who said " ah, si, ta' grave. Debe ir a Puerto Plata "

 

[SKY]

God bless you Malko and happy New Year! I actually would have to call 911 here because I am poor and don't have transportation. To get to the ER in an emergency, that's my only recourse, as it is for soooo many Dominicans as well. I wish you and your family the best in 2022

So as a poor Dominican you cannot figure out what ANY Dominican would do when their life is on the line? NO Dominican would EVER call 911 in this case. There are friends and neighbors here that care and will get you to a hospital.. Your advice in useless at best. Take a rest...................

 

[windeguy]

I totally agree, I chuckle at people who go to the E.R for a cold, comedy at it's finest.

They say Omicron is more like a cold with regards to symptoms than other CV19 scariants.

Dominicans tend to be hypochondriacs, but they normally use the Pharmacy to satisfy that issue.

 

[Sailor51]

You have to listen to the DR1 "Experts" if you can't breath. Just stay home and die............I laugh at these guys..................

There's only a few 'experts".

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

So as a poor Dominican you cannot figure out what ANY Dominican would do when their life is on the line? NO Dominican would EVER call 911 in this case. There are friends and neighbors here that care and will get you to a hospital.. Your advice in useless at best. Take a rest...................

you are incorrect. The 911 service is booked. Why don't walk over to the Cienaga or Callejon in Cab and ask how many times a day and night those ambulances pass through the barrios. Why don't you just stop by the police station in Cab and ask the medics how busy they are an how many calls they get for heart attacks, diabetic emergencies, etc. You are 110% wrong, The service is not as bad as the rap it has. The neighbors don't always have cars, and Folks aren't available 24x7. Very few take a moto at 3am - many cases can't be transported on a moto either. I feel anger in your reply. Make it a great day, nw for some fresh homemade salted caramel scones. Cheers, Manny. Don't for get to like and subscribe, esssKY

 

[SKY]

you are incorrect. The 911 service is booked. Why don't walk over to the Cienaga or Callejon in Cab and ask how many times a day and night those ambulances pass through the barrios. Why don't you just stop by the police station in Cab and ask the medics how busy they are an how many calls they get for heart attacks, diabetic emergencies, etc. You are 110% wrong, The service is not as bad as the rap it has. The neighbors don't always have cars, and Folks aren't available 24x7. Very few take a moto at 3am - many cases can't be transported on a moto either. I feel anger in your reply. Make it a great day, nw for some fresh homemade salted caramel scones. Cheers, Manny. Don't for get to like and subscribe, esssKY

So let's get this straight. You can barely breath. So instead of knocking on doors to immediately get to the hospital you call 911. Kind of like playing the lottery instead of the sure thing.

But congratulatins you have just been made a charter member of my "Pay No Mind" list........................