Congratulations, Maryland! We now hold the title for longest ER wait times in the U.S.! Whoo-hoo!
When are the State, Talbot County and its towns going to put the new Maryland University Regional Hospital Center at the top of their priority list?
Attention to this essential infrastructure is long overdue.
We’ve reached a critical point regarding our lack of health care and health care professionals — and now hold the title of having the longest ER wait times in the nation. Sadly, and unfortunately, no surprise to many in our community. And having listened to testimony at many County Council and Town of Easton Planning Commission and Council meetings regarding the Matthewstown, Lakeside, Poplar Hill, MHC and other land developments during the past few years, the breaking-point strain on our current health care providers and community is obvious, unbearable — for our first responder medical and emergency professionals, in particular.
When are our Talbot County Council and the mayors and town councils of Easton, St. Michaels, Oxford, Trappe, etc. going to emphasize and take action on these critical community services? When are they going to consolidate their efforts to address our health care needs?
When are Governor Moore, Congressman Andy Harris, Senator Chris Van Hollen, and Senator Ben Cardin going to make this a front-and-center issue?
https://news.yahoo.com/maryland-hospital-emergency-room-wait-160051413.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
https://www.wypr.org/wypr-news/2023-10-31/maryland-er-wait-times-continue-to-disappoint-in-new-data-drop
https://hscrc.maryland.gov/Documents/October%202023%20HSCRC%20Post-Meeting%20Materials%20-%20FINAL.pdf
Clara Kelly
Easton
Bob Flower says
Is this problem with the facility or management or staffing?
Cheryl Kramer says
Ask the Governor
Linda Hamilton says
Agree. One recent Saturday I managed, of all things, to give myself a paper cut in my eye (don’t ask) so I hied myself to the ER since the ophthalmologist’s office was closed. After the initial triage and paperwork was completed, I sat, in extreme pain, for four and one half hours with my hand over my eye. Four and one half hours!
While I sat in the ER, waiting, I wondered what could possibly be taking so long. At one point, I did mention to a passing nurse, that I was in pain and, of course, I was scared. I was told that ‘someone’ would see me ‘soon’, after which an on call ophthalmologist would be sent for if it was determined that I needed to be seen by one. What? Wait, there wasn’t a doctor on the premises.
Let me mention that the ER was not crowded. I arrived shortly after noon. There were three people ahead of me. Three. When I left, four and one half hours later, I told the attendant that I was leaving and why. She nodded her understanding and, after looking at my paperwork, told me that I could have waited another four hours before being seen by ‘someone’.
Finally, after four and one half hours, I left and drove across the road to the urgent care office. I was out the door in half an hour, after having been seen by a very nice and competent doctor.
Carol Crutchfield says
Yes, I was in the ER in Easton from 5:30 pm until 4:30 am with a head wound that required stitches. My bike helmet rode up and I banged my temple/ forehead area hard. I was knocked unconscious after flying off my bike at 12 to 13 mph.
The lone doctor, who was great, did not get to stitch me up until 3:30. A nurse cleaned up my roadrash at 3 am. I did have my painful ribs ( hit the handlebars) and head scanned before midnight, when they put me in a bed, so the doctor knew I was not bleeding internally, and was busy with other folks, but I was extremely uncomfortable and very thirsty. Had been told no liquids or pain pills until seen by a doctor. My exact times are approximate because I was disoriented.
No doctors on call for the er? Very disappointed U of M. You can do better.
Judy Bulman says
Great letter. I hope it helps, but I won’t hold my breath. J
Lisa Myers says
First, let me say I think it’s wonderful that Ms. Kelly felt this issue is important enough to take the time to write a letter to the editor about and I think she raises some excellent points. It’s been a serious concern for years, not only in Maryland but throughout the country. Why did Maryland eventually gain the status as the worst of any state in the country for emergency department wait times? It’s hard to know for certain. There are a multitude of factors that impact emergency department wait times, many of which include hospital-wide and system-wide issues (staffing and inpatient capacity being significant ones). Over the years, numerous studies have been conducted in Maryland by several agencies and organizations including the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), Maryland Health Department (MDH), Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), and the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA). A link to one of those reports can be found here:
https://www.miemss.org/home/Portals/0/Docs/LegislativeReports/JCR-Emergency-Department-Overcrowding-Update-201911.pdf?ver=2022-01-27-090447-367
Additionally, there have been numerous publications by national medical organizations on the topic.
And as recently as last session, the Maryland General Assembly has introduced legislation to address the issue (HB274/SB387-Task Force on Emergency Department Wait times), however the bill didn’t pass as it appeared to run out of time.
All of that said, while I agree that the new regional medical center in Easton is very much needed, I am not as optimistic as Ms. Kelly that it is the answer to the problem of extended emergency department wait times in Talbot County or on the eastern shore of Maryland. That said, I am not sure that anyone knows what is, but I sincerely hope they keep trying to address the problem.