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This wasn't too dramatic, but my daughter was misdiagnosed with a UTI in the ER. We went on a Sunday because she had severe abdominal pain... of course these things happen on the weekends! So anyway, after 3 hours in the waiting room, her pain had mostly gone away (probably gas). They saw her anyway and cultured her urine, said she had a UTI. No fever, no urinary symptoms, didn't hurt to go pee. I took the prescription but didn't fill it. Went to the pediatrician the next day, he cultured her urine and it came back no infection. He said that he wasn't surprised... most kids presenting with abdominal pain or a phantom fever get sent home with the diagnosis of UTI or ear infection and a prescription.
A few years ago, I went to the ER after a miscarriage. My lips were white and I was shaking all over. They gave me an IV of saline and sent me on my way. When I went to the doctor the next day (it happened at night), she took one look at me and sent me for more bloodwork. My iron level was at 8.0. She was livid, and said that they never should have released me, and that I probably could have used a blood transfusion.
This wasn't too dramatic, but my daughter was misdiagnosed with a UTI in the ER. We went on a Sunday because she had severe abdominal pain... of course these things happen on the weekends! So anyway, after 3 hours in the waiting room, her pain had mostly gone away (probably gas). They saw her anyway and cultured her urine, said she had a UTI. No fever, no urinary symptoms, didn't hurt to go pee. I took the prescription but didn't fill it. Went to the pediatrician the next day, he cultured her urine and it came back no infection. He said that he wasn't surprised... most kids presenting with abdominal pain or a phantom fever get sent home with the diagnosis of UTI or ear infection and a prescription.
A few years ago, I went to the ER after a miscarriage. My lips were white and I was shaking all over. They gave me an IV of saline and sent me on my way. When I went to the doctor the next day (it happened at night), she took one look at me and sent me for more bloodwork. My iron level was at 8.0. She was livid, and said that they never should have released me, and that I probably could have used a blood transfusion.
I have very, very little faith in the ER.
I am sorry to hear of your ER experiences. I totally agree that ER is quite unreliable from my personal experience.