STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS and local health care executives held a press conference Wednesday urging individuals to avoid utilizing emergency department services for nonemergency health issues. The reminder comes ahead of the height of the flu season and amid a nationwide staffing shortage among hospitals.
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island health care leaders on Wednesday urged residents to only seek care at emergency departments for issues that require emergency care. Hospital emergency departments in the state continue to see significant crowding and prolonged waiting times even prior to the height of flue season and holiday gatherings, officials said. Individuals with nonemergency…