The first 30 minutes in an ER set the tone for the entire stay. Here is how to advocate for yourself or a loved one.

Emergency rooms are deliberately disorienting. Bright lights, fast staff, urgency in the air. That is exactly when you need to be most precise.

The 30-minute checklist

  • Get the triage category in writing.
  • Ask: "Who is the attending physician for this case?"
  • Refuse non-emergency procedures until you understand the cost.
  • If admission is recommended, ask: "Is this admission medically necessary, or precautionary?"
  • Get the estimated cost of the first 24 hours before consenting to admission.
"Precautionary" admissions account for an enormous share of unnecessary hospital stays. You are allowed to ask.