One issue is Prov Everett is a level 2 trauma center and there aren’t a ton around (two other closest are Bellingham and Tacoma and they’re also pretty swamped). Only level 1 trauma center is Harborview which is the only one in WA ID AK and MT so it’s swamped. Lesser injuries could be seen at other hospitals but almost every hospital is swamped. Why are they swamped? Higher acuity patients (not reallyfixable unless we completely revamp our primary care system and make it more accessible so it can be more focused on preventative healthcare) and short staffing. Everywhere is short staffed because nurses are being underpaid, treated poorly and leaving bedside. Quickest fix would be to pay nurses more and enact safe staffing laws so they feel more supported. Longer term fix is to expand nursing school spots but that would require more educators, paying them more, and making sure there are enough nurses in the hospital to train the students. It’s honestly a mess and I don’t have good solutions. My hope is that we will eventually completely revamp our for profit healthcare system and go towards universal healthcare.

Not long ago St. Michaels on Kitsap had their ED charge nurse call in the local EMTs to help staff their department they were so overwhelmed. It’s a mess out there.