Last month, I had to go to the emergency room. I kept telling the staff there that I had an emergency situation. I kept repeating the words, "emergency situation." I had a longer wait than expected because, as one of the staff members said, "If you have time to keep referring to your allergic reaction as an emergency situation instead of an emergency, you have time to wait a little longer."
Actually, that's not what happened. The staff was very polite and professional and got me into a room after just a short wait. I never used the words, "emergency situation," either. If had, though, I wonder if my wait would have been longer.
At least some emergency room staffers must grit their teeth when patients keep referring to an emergency as an emergency situation.
