ER Overcrowding Leaves Patients Suffering, Frustrated

It is common knowledge that the vast majority of ER patients are over crowding the ER's unecessarily, therefore jeopardizing patients who really do need the care. Why isn't this issue ever addressed? Having flu like symptoms or other infections easily curable with rest and OTC medications require a stay at home, not a trip to the Emergency Room!

MD's other DC suburban hospitals???? Does the writer know that the State of Maryland is not part of District of Colombia? DC doesn't have a suburb.

A report that shows a horrible situation developing with lots of unanswered question.

Maybe Channel 9 can uncover some of the answers- Why are politicians "warning" the situation will get worse? Shouldn't they be doing something to make this better?
Why are legislators thinking about closing a hospital to increase the wait times at the other hospitals?
Are 4 hour wait times acceptable or hospitals turning ambulances away 208 days of the year acceptable to the legislators?

Does this make sense to anyone?

Why is the Prince George's hospital financially strapped?

Should the hospital hire more people? What did the hospital say about not having enough staff? Shouldn't the hospital have a plan when there is overcrowding in the er? Do they call in extra people? If a terrorist event happens what will our ER's do if they can't handle everyday volume? 208 days of turning away ambulances and there are hospitals that are worse? aren't there just 365 days in a year?

Channel 9 news what can I do to make this situation better? who should I write to make this a priority? can you do a follow up report about what our government and hospitals are doing to make this a better situation rather than watching it happen?

As a registered nurse, I have worked in several ERs in several states now. I see this ER problem is a national medical crisis. The problem is a complex one involving many layer of politics that include a lack of facilities, nursing and physician shortage. Also I everyone is scared of lawsuits making medical care more expensive. From a nursing standpoint, nurses are cautious due dangerous nurse to patient staffing ratios and little support from administration. Hospitals may not want to admit they have a problem because it makes them look bad. The goverment it seems is looking the other way. At the moment though I feel many ERs provide dangerous care and frankly I think people are going to die before someone acts.