Glad to hear things seem to be going well.
Being an EMT, I'm all too familiar with ER's and the situation you experienced. And being an EMT in Boston, with all the hospitals we have, I've seen wait times like what you experienced at every one of them. I could rant like you, but I'll try to keep it short. A big part of the problem is people calling 911 or going to the ER for a headache or other problem that is better served by calling your PCP first, or going to an urgent care center where they treat non-emergent issues. The biggest thing for people to remember is to go to the emergency room for issues that need immediate care and attention. By all means, if you are unsure of what the problem is, and feel it may be life threatening, call 911. Otherwise, seek further help elsewhere first.
Not too mention that a lot of runs I do are basically because the patient does not have transportation, so they call 911 just for the ride. They are the ones who clog up the ER. They know the system, they abuse it, and since a majority of them are on Medicare and Medicaid, guess who pays?
Wow, I guess I couldn't keep it short. It's contagious Pete.
Anyway, take care both of you and we look forward to hearing from you.