Emergency Medical Care in Gainesville...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Florida
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<p>OK, stuff happens. DS needed stitches, 7:30 on a weeknight. He got out of the ER at Shands at around 7:00 a.m.</p>

<p>Shands seems to be the only show in town, after hours. There was one other hospital that I could find online, and their ER was very busy, too (although, in 20/20 hindsight, he probably would have been seen in 3-4 hours at the other hospital.</p>

<p>I'm concerned about a more serious situation being dealt with in a timely manner, especially since he wouldn't have a family member there to advocate for him.</p>

<p>What's the best way to get urgent care after the clinics close?</p>

2

<p>What? Shands is one of the best Hospitals in the USA. I am sure if it was a really bad emergency, he would of been taken care of rather quickly.</p>

3

<p>Shands is an amazing facility. Maybe this was a bad night (Tuesday? what happens on a Friday night?) Or maybe their reputation is based on the other specialties and research, and NOT on their ER. </p>

<p>My guys have had their share of stitches, believe me. We have NEVER had to wait 10 hours for treatment.</p>

<p>Like I said on the parent board, one of my other sons had appendicitis that did not present in the classic fashion. Even though he was taken right to a room in the ER, it took 10 hours and an ultrasound and a CT scan to diagnose, and by the time they operated the appendix had ruptured and he had peritonitis. In a full ER with 30+ people waiting, how quickly would a kid get looked at with abdominal pain?</p>

4

<p>There are also plenty of reputable emergency medical care centers (that also operate after hours) that take the overflow from the main hospitals in Gainesville. It'd probably behoove you, and all parents with kids coming out of town (or state) to Gainesville to look into these other options. Don't worry. Health care wise, Gainesville is one of the best places to be. Your case is peculiar indeed. I myself have had a few emergencies, but I was taken care of in a very timely and professional manner...</p>

<p>Hope all is well!</p>

5

<p>Do you have any info on hours and locations of these urgent care centers? I tried google and google maps, and many of them seem to say something like "after hours seek care at the local emergency room" or something similar.</p>

<p>I really did try to find another option for my son when he called and told us the situation in the ER. I just wasn't finding after-hours options in Gainesville. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places. </p>

<p>Like you said, it would be a good idea to have a list and a plan. Any help you can give would be appreciated.</p>

6

<p>Yeah Shands has never been good with times. I had a friend in there for 14 hours. It was a pain</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
OK, stuff happens. DS needed stitches, 7:30 on a weeknight. He got out of the ER at Shands at around 7:00 a.m.

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</p>

<p>At 7:30pm, he would generally be able to get into minor care section of the ER. However, there are only 5 spaces available back there and if they are all full, they will try to get everyone out by 9pm (when they close). They defiantly wont take someone by latest 8:15, maybe 8:30. And once his case is switched to the main ER, 10 hours is good for stitches. To be honest, stitches are not that serious unless the person is on plavix (or some other blood thinner) or the laceration is on a significant part of the body (e.g palm of hands, which could mean a cut tendon...thus surgical). The main ER deals with all the serious patients who need longer work ups and possible consults (e.g vaginal bleeding, chest pain, car accidents, system failure, etc). </p>

<p>And as a side note, I have seen a 45 mins to one hour turn over time for stitches (+ tetanus shot, if its been over 5 years).</p>

<p>
[quote]
What's the best way to get urgent care after the clinics close?

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</p>

<p>Where was the cut? Generally most stitches are not that serious, so I would have told him to wash the wound out, cover with and anti-bac/band-aid and then go to the infirmary on campus when it opens @ 8am. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Or maybe their reputation is based on the other specialties and research, and NOT on their ER.

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</p>

<p>Shands is a level 1 trauma hospital, so they get a lot referrals from the surrounding area. So when there is a tractor amputation in lake city or car accident in high springs/waldo....its all comes to Shands/UF. You probably haven't heard of the ER because reputation is generally based on having a top rank residency. Shands just started its EM residencey 2 years ago, so it hasnt had time yet to build a reputation. However, all the attendings know what they are doing. Many went to residencies that receive much more blunt and penetrating traumas than Shands/UF does. </p>

<p>
[quote]
In a full ER with 30+ people waiting, how quickly would a kid get looked at with abdominal pain?

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</p>

<p>Depends on how serious those other 30 people are and if minor care is open (9am-9pm). </p>

<p>
[quote]
taken right to a room in the ER, it took 10 hours and an ultrasound and a CT scan to diagnose

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<p>And I have seen the opposite. Time to CT scan 30min-1hr from when the doctor puts it in. Results from radiology ~15mins-1hr. US about another 1hr. Labs is another 1-2hrs. </p>

<p>Like it was stated before, if he had a serious problem he would probably get through much quicker.</p>