According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one in five Americans make at least one trip to the emergency room annually. This rate has remained steady over the last several years.
Emergency Room Visits in Illinois
Illinois is one of five states that account for more than one-third of annual ER visits. Most of those who visit the hospital for urgent medical care are adults. There are many reasons for this high rate. Lack of health insurance and medical options drives some to visit emergency rooms for issues that could be handled in a primary care setting. Others end up in the ER because an injury occurs outside of the time when most medical offices are open.
As one of the most populous states in the nation, Illinois was included in the study by the CDC, along with California, Florida, New York and Texas. On the whole, there were around 131 million visits to emergency rooms each year. Over 60% of visits were by adults up to the age of 65. Just over twenty percent of visits were attributed to children and the remainder to seniors.
The Reason for ER Visits
The number one reason for emergency room visits is abdominal pain, followed by chest pain and discomfort. The third most common reason that Americans visit the ER is because of a fall. A fall can lead to all types of medical issues, from sprains and fractures to spine and head injuries. The CDC reports that over 40 million ER visits are related to injuries.
ER visits are never fun, but those who have been injured as the result of a fall should not wait to seek medical care. Delaying treatment can lead to long-term complications and even permanent disability. Injuries to the head and spine are considered especially dangerous, and even if symptoms are not immediately apparent, patients may be admitted for further testing and treatment.
When an individual is injured as the result of another’s negligence, they may be eligible for compensation that will help to cover the costs of an emergency room visit, additional medical treatment, pain and suffering and lost wages. A personal injury lawyer in Chicago can provide additional information regarding the legal responsibilities of property owners and managers in Illinois and the rights of injured parties.
