There is a cluster of hospitals in the downtown area of the city so all of them are "closest." The time we used an ambulance we were simply asked which hospital to go to.
An important factor that isn't mentioned here is that there may be differing answers to what is the best emergency room for my loved one, and what is the best hospital. Having my husband's primary care physician in charge of his hospitalization is the driving factor for me. We go where she practices.
We can start by calling our nearest ER (if your loved one presses her call button - they are taken to the NEAREST ER - no choice in the matter!
Ask if they have the 'clot busting' drug on hand for strokes. Ask if they have a physician on duty 24/7. We have used our local ER several times and they have done a good job. In the past they DID NOT HAVE the clot busting drug that is administered for stroke - but, now they do. A real load off our minds - since my MIL had a slight stroke 6 weeks ago. Of course, she did not tell us for two weeks :0( It was very slight. It could happen again. A friend who is a nurse said sometimes they get 'confused' while suffering a stroke and they just get quiet and go to bed. This is exactly what she did. Then she sort of stayed to herself for a few days (she has her own little MIL apt attached to our home), which she has done before. There was really no way for us to know until she told us her symptoms and I think it took her a while for it to 'register' that what happened to her was very dangerous. She has beginning dementia as well. So, even though we made her promise to tell us if she ever felt 'funny' again - who knows if she will.
If your loved one has HH aids or a visiting nurse - ask THEM where they would go in an emergency. That says a lot :0)
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An important factor that isn't mentioned here is that there may be differing answers to what is the best emergency room for my loved one, and what is the best hospital. Having my husband's primary care physician in charge of his hospitalization is the driving factor for me. We go where she practices.
Ask if they have the 'clot busting' drug on hand for strokes. Ask if they have a physician on duty 24/7. We have used our local ER several times and they have done a good job. In the past they DID NOT HAVE the clot busting drug that is administered for stroke - but, now they do. A real load off our minds - since my MIL had a slight stroke 6 weeks ago. Of course, she did not tell us for two weeks :0( It was very slight. It could happen again. A friend who is a nurse said sometimes they get 'confused' while suffering a stroke and they just get quiet and go to bed. This is exactly what she did. Then she sort of stayed to herself for a few days (she has her own little MIL apt attached to our home), which she has done before. There was really no way for us to know until she told us her symptoms and I think it took her a while for it to 'register' that what happened to her was very dangerous. She has beginning dementia as well. So, even though we made her promise to tell us if she ever felt 'funny' again - who knows if she will.
If your loved one has HH aids or a visiting nurse - ask THEM where they would go in an emergency. That says a lot :0)