Letter to the editor: Readers express their concerns, Feb. 5, 2015
READER OBJECTS TO WORDING OF NONPROFIT’S GOAL
Regarding the statement in Jan. 22 View health story, “New group to get behind mental health services,” “The charity is also concerned with removing the stigma of mental health issues:”
By asserting it, they do precisely the opposite.
By assisting them, you are doing the same.
Fear is the only thought that comes to mind when I see someone directing a “stigma.”
Or someone mindlessly repeating them.
— Harold A. Maio, retired mental health editor, Florida
READER SAYS ONLINE QUOTES NOT FREE
I think you did a disservice to suggest people go online for “free” quotes for automobile insurance (Jan. 22 View safety story, “ZIP codes, car features among factors driving insurance rates”).
I have not found one site that will let you enter data without requiring your name, address, email, etc.
Then you are inundated with calls and/or emails from hundreds of insurance companies.
I have learned that they will pay databases for additional information about you.
It takes weeks of ignoring the emails and refusing telephone calls before they go away.
Then they know when your insurance expires and will try contacting you again in six to 12 months as I am now receiving.
— Joe Roeder, Las Vegas
READER OFFERS EMERGENCY CARE CLINIC ADVICE
Regarding Jan. 31 View’s health story, “Knowing when to head straight to ER could save a life…”
A mild asthma attack; a toddler has a fever on a weekend; a prescription is needed after hours; a deep cut from a rusty blade; a little girl suddenly have hives; a stubbed foot starts swelling alarmingly….
In any one of these scenarios, what would you do? Many people would head to the nearest hospital emergency room, but for these issues, the best option may be to visit the nearest urgent care clinic.
ERs are appropriate for very serious conditions, which may result in loss of limbs, eyesight or life. Urgent care clinics have been designed to quickly and efficiently address “urgent” problems — issues that cannot wait until the next available doctor’s appointment.
Like ERs, urgent care clinics are staffed with competent health care providers who have been trained to handle urgent issues. They offer X-rays, and some even have MRIs, CT scans and in-house laboratories. They are able to provide shots, medications, IVs and treatment plans, and they are available during evenings, weekends and holidays. They also accept most forms of insurance and can make referrals for follow-up care.
Urgent care clinics can also be more convenient. ERs do not have the same wait times and pricing schedules as urgent care clinics. Since ERs do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis, a person who does not have a life-threatening issue may have to wait for hours to get care in a busy ER as patients with more traumatic issues receive priority. In urgent care clinics, the average wait is approximately 15 to 45 minutes.
To most people, every medical situation is an emergency, and sometimes it is hard to determine how serious the problem is, so here are some examples of issues and where they could be treated:
Urgent Care Clinic
- Minor burns and cuts
- Sprains, strains and broke bones (if the bone is not sticking through the skin)
- Coughs, congestion, sore throats, ear infections, vomiting and diarrhea
- Colds, flu, fever, headaches, body aches and cramps
- Rashes, irritations and allergic reactions (non-life-threatening)
- Mild asthma
Hospital Emergency Room
- Heart attack or severe chest pain
- Stroke or stroke-like symptoms
- Loss of consciousness
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Head trauma
- Serious abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision
When in doubt, many insurance companies offer a free 24-hour nurse advice hotline for guidance. The phone number can usually be found on your insurance card, and the on-call nurse can help you locate the care center that can most appropriately and effectively address your needs.
— Dr. Richard A. Roberts, Medicaid Medical Director, Amerigroup Nevada
