Be a good patient: 10 tips to avoid repeat hospital ER visits

Wondering how to be a good patient after getting discharged from the emergency room? Do everything you can to avoid another ER visit.

While not every repeat ER visit is preventable, many are. In this article, you’ll learn 10 ways to be a good patient after you’re discharged.

5 facts about repeat hospital ER visits

1. Repeat ER visit rate. An estimated 13.9% of people who are hospitalized end up heading back for another ER visit within 30 days of getting discharged.¹
2. Cost per repeat ER visit. About 3.8 million people make a repeat ER visit every month, and the average cost per visit is $15,200.²
3. Leading cause of repeat ER visits. Repeat hospital ER visits are highest among people with chronic diseases, including: heart disease, lung disease, cancer, diabetes and kidney disease.³
4. Annual cost for repeat ER visits. Over $54.2 billion is spent each year on repeat ER visits for patients previously treated for a condition within 30 days.²
5. Median ER visit wait times. The median wait time for a hospital ER visit in the U.S. is 2 hours, 42 minutes.⁴

26 signs it’s time for a hospital ER visit

When you need sudden medical care, think first about how serious the problem is and determine if the appropriate action is:

• Calling 911
• Calling your family doctor
• Visiting an urgent care clinic, or…
• Getting to a hospital emergency room as soon as possible

Not sure if it’s time for a hospital ER visit?

Here are 26 signs it’s go time.⁵

1. If a person or unborn child is facing death or permanent disability, go to the emergency room.
2. If you cannot wait to be seen, call 911 for immediate assistance. Cases when it’s necessary to take quick action include:
3. A person has stopped breathing or is choking
4. A head injury along with loss of consciousness, confusion, fainting or severe allergic reaction
5. A neck or spine injury, especially if mobility and sensation are affected
6. An electric shock or lightning strike
7. A second-degree burn larger than three inches or third-degree burn
8. A seizure that lasts longer than five minutes, is followed by another seizure, or has an out-of-the-ordinary recovery (pain, trouble breathing)
9. Trouble breathing
10. Loss of consciousness or the ability to see, speak, walk, or move
11. Severe pain or pressure in the chest
12. Arm or jaw pain
13. Abnormally bad headache, especially with quick onset
14. Weakness or drooping that appears on one side of the body
15. Persistent dizziness or weakness
16. Smoke or poisonous fume inhalation
17. Sudden confusion
18. Any deep wound or injury that causes heavy bleeding
19. A suspected broken bone that causes loss of movement, especially if the bone is visible outside the skin
20. Coughing or vomit that contains blood
21. Any severe pain
22. Allergic reaction that includes hives, swelling, or trouble breathing
23. A high fever accompanied by a headache and stiff neck, or high fever that over-the-counter medicine does not reduce
24. Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
25. Ingestion of poison or an overdose of drug or alcohol
26. Suicidal thoughts

10 tips to avoid repeat hospital ER visits

After experiencing an emergency and seeking care at the hospital, it’s essential to take proactive steps to avoid going back. “Although in most cases readmissions are necessary, a significant portion may be preventable,” according to research published in the journal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.¹

Want to know how to be a good patient after a hospital ER visit to avoid going back?

Here are 10 things you can do:

1. Follow discharge instructions

Before you leave the hospital, your healthcare team may give you instructions about: ⁶

• Medications
• Dietary restrictions
• Activity limitations
• Follow-up appointments

Make sure you understand your discharge instructions. Or ask a family member, friend or caregiver to get this information when you leave your ER visit.

2. Monitor your symptoms

Pay attention to any new symptoms or changes in your condition following an ER visit.

• Note any new or worsening symptoms.
• Report them promptly to your primary care physician or the healthcare provider who treated you.⁷
• Some healthcare providers allow you to text, email, call and even send photos for health-related concerns, potentially preventing the need for another ER visit.

3. Take prescribed medications

Make sure you take any prescribed medications exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Read the label for dosage information, frequency, and potential side effects
• Do not skip doses or alter the dosage without consulting your doctor.
• One recent study found that 21% of repeat hospital ER visits were medication-related, but 69% of those visits were potentially preventable.⁸

4. Rest & recover

Allow yourself adequate time to rest and recover from the emergency.

• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Follow any recommendations for rest and relaxation provided by your healthcare provider.
• Research suggests some light physical activity as part of your recovery may help reduce hospital readmissions within 30 days by up to 10%.⁹

5. Drink plenty of water

Stay hydrated, especially if dehydration was a factor in your emergency.

• Proper hydration is essential for overall health.
• It can also help prevent certain medical issues from recurring, such as kidney stones.
• How much water should you drink? It depends. On average, most adults should drink 72 to 100+ ounces of water per day.¹⁰ More if you live in a hot climate, exercise a lot, or have a physically-demanding job.

6. Avoid triggers

If your ER visit was related to a specific trigger or activity, take steps to avoid it in the future. For example, you may need to avoid:

• Certain foods
• Environmental factors
• Certain activities

Neglecting discharge instructions or doing anything related to the reason you were hospitalized in the first place could compromise your health and lead to a hospital readmission.

Some of the most common reasons for hospital readmissions due to complications include:¹¹

• Heart disease
• Metabolic syndrome
• Digestive issues
• Breathing problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Behavioral and mental health disorders
• Complications associated with musculoskeletal or connective tissue injuries

7. Schedule follow-up care

After a hospital ER visit, there’s usually a follow-up visit with your primary care doctor or a specialist.

• Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your primary care physician or specialist as soon as possible.
• These appointments are crucial for monitoring your condition, adjusting treatment plans if necessary, and addressing any lingering concerns.
• Scheduling a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician and showing up after going to the hospital may reduce hospital readmissions by up to 70%.¹²

8. Communicate with healthcare providers

Keep open lines of communication with your healthcare providers.¹³

• If you have questions or concerns about your health or treatment plan, don’t hesitate to reach out for clarification or guidance.
• Many healthcare providers and plans include 24-hour medical help lines and telehealth services.
• Some healthcare providers allow you to text, email, call and even send photos for health-related concerns, potentially preventing the need for another ER visit.

9. Review your lifestyle habits

When you get home from a hospital ER visit, take a minute to review your lifestyle habits.

• The most common causes for repeat hospital visits are linked to preventable diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Make any necessary lifestyle changes to promote better health.
• This may include improving your diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, or reducing stress.¹⁴

10. Be prepared for an emergency

Take steps to prepare for any future emergencies. This may include:¹⁵

• Updating your emergency contact information
• Creating or updating a medical history
• Creating a list of your medications
• Ensuring you have necessary supplies on hand in case of another emergency.

By taking these proactive measures, you can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing another emergency and avoid a repeat hospital ER visit in the near future.

Preventive care: Find a plan to keep you healthy

While you can’t prevent every hospital ER visit, living a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. Preventive care like regular check-ups, regular exercise, and healthy habits to maintain your overall well-being can keep you out of the ER.

Looking for a health plan with preventive care benefits?

We can help. Contact a licensed health insurance agent in your area or give us a call at (800) 827-9990 for more information.

NOTE: This advertisement contains information compiled by HealthMarkets Insurance Agency. HealthMarkets Insurance Agency does not represent that these are statements of fact. Please consult directly with your primary care physician if you need medical advice.