News
Steps for Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-15, and every year, this week grows more and more important. With statistics reporting that East Texas has the highest suicide rate in the state, many of us wonder why this startling statistic is on the rise. As of 2017, more than twice as many people in Texas die of suicide than homicide every year. This phenomena is something that none of us can ignore, particularly during such an important week for suicide awareness.
Maybe you know someone who suffers from depression, or maybe one of your family members has expressed thoughts of self-harm. In these situations, many people do not know what to do to help if someone they care about expresses suicidal thoughts. Some people try to change the subject, while others worry about saying the wrong thing, but without knowing how to help, it can be easy to make a mistake.
In light of such a serious health concern, Golden Triangle Emergency Center wants to provide everyone in our community with the basic steps to intervene and help when someone expresses suicidal thoughts. Given that this is such a serious issue, we want to also remind anyone who has considered suicide or who is looking for help regarding depression and suicide to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Identifying Suicidal Thoughts
Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so directly, but studies show that many people who are considering suicide do make attempts to reach out. There are behavioral changes that might take place, like giving away their possessions, lack of interest in planning for future events, and unusually risky behavior; and there is often an attempt to reach out for help verbally as well.
While a suicidal person might admit very straight forwardly that they have been thinking about suicide, some will also communicate their feelings by saying things like:
- “I feel trapped.”
- “Nothing I do matters.”
- “You’d be better off without me.”
- “Maybe I just won’t be around anymore.”
When communicating feelings of hopelessness, people can use many different words to express how lost they feel. In these moments, friends and family around them may not know how to react. Some might think it is only a phase, others might try to lighten the mood and cheer someone up by changing the subject, and others might try an overly aggressive response. Knowing exactly what to say can be difficult, but psychological professionals do have a recommended list of things to say and ask to help the situation.
The Right Thing to Say
When faced with someone who is expressing a cry for help, many people might react with a blunt declaration of: “But you have so much to live for!” While this gesture is meant well, it is often not helpful to people who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. What is very important to remember for anyone who might be helping a loved one through this difficult time is that a suicidal person feels hopeless. No matter what they might have to look forward to in their life, when someone is considering suicide, they cannot see those things ahead of them. So insisting that they have so much to live for doesn’t help, and can often make those suffering from severe depression feel even worse.
If you have expressed your concern to a loved one who shows signs of severe depression and suicidal thoughts, then the better way to respond is to first and foremost remind them that you are concerned and that they are not alone.
Here are some better ways to express your concern for someone with suicidal thoughts that are more likely to help them feel safe while talking with you:
- “I can see you really struggling, and I want you to know that you’re not alone.”
- “I’m concerned about you, and I want to help. “
- “Thank you for talking with me about this, I really care about you and I want to help.”
The key when talking with anyone about their suicidal feelings is to listen. Those considering suicide are coming from a place of depression and pain and making sure that they are heard and acknowledged is vital to getting them the help they need.
Don’t be Afraid of Questions
It is sometimes assumed that by asking someone if they want to kill themselves, you can somehow inspire them to do it, but that is simply not the case. Anyone who is not suicidal won’t change their mind because you asked them about it. This means that it is okay to ask, if you think that someone close to you might be considering self-harm. Many people who consider it will admit to their intentions when someone approaches them considerately and is willing to listen.
You can even ask them if they have begun to make plans for suicide, such as writing notes or deciding on a method. This can help you to assess how urgent your loved one’s situation might be. If someone has plans in place to commit suicide, then how you react will differ from how you would respond to someone who struggles with depression but is not taking steps to commit suicide.
How to Respond
No matter if someone is having suicidal thoughts or has begun to actually plan for their suicide, the most important thing you can do is to stay with them. It is very important not to leave a suicidal person alone, especially overnight. After talking with them about how they feel and your willingness to help, it is important to stay by their side and help them get professional medical help.
If the person you are helping already sees a therapist or has a doctor they have talked with about their depression before, then offer to help them make an appointment. You can even offer to go with them to their next appointment.
For anyone who does not see a medical professional for their depression, it can be especially good to help them get to their first appointment. Go with them, to make sure they attend, and if your loved one needs you in the session with them, then you can talk with the doctor or counselor about accommodating that.
If the situation is urgent and you think that your loved one is at immediate risk for a suicide attempt, then stay with them and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. There, you will be connected to resources near you and be given professional guidance on how to manage the situation and keep your loved one safe.
As we remember the losses that have come from suicide, Golden Triangle Emergency Center wants to education and provide our community with the tools to support those suffering from depression. By listening thoughtfully, communicating honestly, and helping someone to make an appointment, we can all learn not only how to help someone with suicidal thoughts, but also how to be more compassionate to those we love.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center supports everyone in our communities, and we urge anyone who is suffering from suicidal thoughts to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and get help today. If you are considering suicide, reach out to someone you trust and ask for their help in making you an appointment with a mental health professional.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center Port Arthur Celebrates its 4 Year Anniversary
Golden Triangle Emergency Center is pleased to announce that Sunday, July 29th will mark the 4-year anniversary of the opening of our Port Arthur facility. We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve Port Arthur and the surrounding community with the gold standard in twenty-four hour emergency medical care, and we are excited to continue this crucial mission.
Gratitude for the support of our Community
These past four years have seen the opening of a number of other twenty-four hour emergency care facilities. Competition has been fierce, but GTEC has always put our patients first, and we are humbled by the show of support that we have in turn received from the local community. We appreciate this continued support and look forward to helping more patients live their best, healthiest lives.
Reaching More Patients Throughout the Golden Triangle
Our Port Arthur facility was our first location 2014, but the following year featured the grand opening of our Orange facility 2015, and this past April we opened our brand new Beaumont location 2018. Needless to say, it’s been an exciting four years and it has meant a lot to us being able to provide the best care to more patients throughout the Golden Triangle region.
GTEC-PA is located at 8035 Memorial Blvd, Port Arthur, TX 77640 next to the Cheddar’s restaurant.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
New Study Reveals Lower Hospital Admission Rates at Freestanding Emergency Departments
A new study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine revealed a 20% lower hospital admission rate for patients receiving comparable diagnoses at freestanding emergency departments (FSEDs) like GTEC compared to traditional hospital-based emergency departments (HBEDs). This is significant because hospital admissions are extremely costly and have often been referred to as “the most expensive decision in US healthcare.”
About the Study
The study was a retrospective analysis of 3,230 patients in hospital-based emergency departments compared to those at freestanding emergency departments all of whom were diagnosed with one of the following health concerns: chest pain, congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study was conducted to determine the effect that freestanding emergency departments have on healthcare costs. There was a perception that FSEDs might increase healthcare costs; however, the results of the study indicated that there was a 20% lower admission rate at FSEDs for chest pain, COPD, asthma, and CHF without a compromise in the quality of care.
About Freestanding Emergency Departments
Freestanding emergency departments may operate as part of a hospital system or they might be unaffiliated with a hospital system. Unaffiliated centers are typically referred to as Independent Freestanding Emergency Centers/Departments (IFECs) and these facilities are for-profit entities that are owned and operated independently of a hospital center. IFECs are not bound by the same federal emergency department regulations as hospital-based emergency departments and they do not have to comply with The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). However, many IFECs choose to voluntarily comply with EMTALA. It is estimated that there are over 360 FSEDs in operation across the US.
Possible Explanations for Lower Hospital Admission Rates at FSEDs
The study showed that patients at traditional hospital-based emergency departments had a 20% higher hospital admission rate than patients presenting with comparable symptoms at freestanding emergency departments, thus potentially exposing these patients to the higher healthcare costs associated with hospital admissions. So why are hospital admission rates lower at FSEDs if the quality of care is comparable and the patients are presenting with similar diagnoses?
The study did not directly investigate the cause of its findings; however, the study authors speculated that at busy traditional hospital-based emergency departments the physicians are often under higher pressure to “turn beds quickly.” This is because wait times at traditional ERs are notoriously long and it may be faster and easier to admit patients for further tests rather than take the time to come up with treatment options and run tests that do not require hospital admission. By contrast, freestanding emergency departments have much shorter wait times and this gives doctors more time to spend with patients. Since many freestanding emergency centers also feature comprehensive imaging and laboratory facilities, they are also able to conduct the tests needed quickly on the spot without hospital admission.
A separate study conducted by one of the authors showed that for an unnamed major health insurance provider in Texas, the prices paid at traditional hospital-based emergency departments were nearly identical to those paid in freestanding emergency centers. Thus the major deciding factor for patients was the convenience and service provided at FSEDs.
GTEC Provides Patients the Gold Standard in Emergency Care
GTEC is proud to provide patients with superior quality of care. When our patients do need to be admitted to the hospital, we can transfer them directly, skipping the long wait times at the ER and ensuring that patients get the care they need quickly and efficiently.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GTEC to Open a New Facility in Beaumont
Golden Triangle Emergency Center is pleased to announce that we will soon be opening a brand new facility at 5550 Eastex Freeway; Beaumont, TX 77708 located near the Target store. This new state-of-the-art freestanding emergency center will allow us to provide the city of Beaumont with the gold standard in emergency medical care and will ensure that area residents do not have to travel far to reach one of our facilities.
About the GTEC Beaumont Facility
GTEC-Beaumont will feature concierge level service with short wait times and a highly attentive, caring professional staff. From mild injuries and illness to major health crises like heart attacks, the new facility will provide comprehensive medical care with diagnostic capabilities and imaging and laboratory services. Stay tuned for more information about the opening of this exciting new facility!
Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GTEC Named Best ER
GTEC strives to provide the highest quality of emergency medical care. Helping our patients through their medical emergencies and providing the care they need to overcome health challenges is all the thanks and recognition we need. However, that said, we are very honored to announce that GTEC-Orange has been awarded Best ER in Orange by the Orange Leader, and GTEC-Port Arthur has been awarded Best ER in Port Arthur by the Port Arthur News.
GTEC Orange Named Best ER by the Orange Leader
GTEC Orange was named Best ER by the Orange Leader. This recognition is especially meaningful because Orange Baptist ER closed its doors at the beginning of the year, leaving area residents with fewer options for emergency care. GTEC is proud that our Orange facility has been able to pick up the slack and provide exemplary health services to Orange and the surrounding communities.
GTEC Port Arthur Named Best ER by the Port Arthur News
GTEC Port Arthur was named Best ER by the Port Arthur News. This award coincides with the three-year anniversary of GTEC Port Arthur’s opening. It is extremely gratifying to know the difference we’ve made in the health and well being of our community in these past three years that we’ve been open. We look forward to serving Port Arthur and the Golden Triangle region for many years to come and to continuing to remain the absolute best option in emergency room care!
GTEC’s Commitment to Our Patients
GTEC is honored and humbled by these two Best ER awards. They inspire us to work even harder for our patients. From minor health concerns to life threatening emergencies patients can count on GTEC for the fastest, most comprehensive care with short wait times and the ability to have patients admitted directly to area hospitals if the need arises without waiting in the hospital’s ER.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GTEC Celebrates Our Brave Men and Women in Blue
Golden Triangle Emergency Center performs emergency services for our patients everyday, but it’s not just our team that keeps our community safe.
For National Police Appreciation Week, we visited local law enforcement to show our gratitude for their life-saving services. Keep reading to see how our day went!
Visiting the Groves PD for National Police Week.
Our team spoke with Nederland Police Chief, Darrell Bush, about police week and how they contribute to our communities.
Q: Are you doing anything to celebrate police week?
A: Just doing our jobs.
Dropping off goodies for the brave men and women at Nederland PD.
Q: What does this week mean to you and does it mean more now to you with everything going on in the media?
A: It’s a difficult time to be a cop. On the opposite side of that there has been a positive response from the community and a great show of support. Our community is great, the individuals and businesses, and we appreciate all they do for us and support they give to us.
Port Neches PD poses with our marketing team for National Police Week.
“We’re grateful for the service and bravery of our law enforcement,” said Kari Busch, Marketing Director at GTEC. “We support all police departments. Police men and women are always welcome to come into our facility for refreshments and we were honored to be able to bring them a basket of goodies we know they enjoy.”
Director of Marketing, Kari, with a Port Arthur officer, delivering goodies.
“It is great that the American public takes a week to recognize these brave men and women,” said Nederland Police Chief Darrell Bush.
GTEC provides our communities with the no-wait emergency care they deserve in state-of-the-art facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To learn more about our services, including CT Scanner, ultrasound and X-Ray, visit this page.
How did you show your appreciation to our police force?
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Celebrating National Nurses Week With a GTEC Nurse
There are nearly 3 million nurses in the U.S., which makes them the largest professional group in the country.
Not only are nurses the primary providers of patient care, they’re also the main dispensers of long-term care. In many ways, nurses aren’t just medical professionals. They’re also caretakers and support systems.
For National Nurses Week, we’d like to celebrate these women and men who dedicate their lives to the care of others. Keep reading to learn more about nurses in the emergency room with one of our own, Annie Kovatch, RN.
What made you want to be a nurse?
I’ve always loved science. Healthcare, especially in the ER, is always changing, making it more interesting than a static career choice. I also have a tendency to care for those that are in need. I love the critical thinking involved with emergency care and the way some patients are like a puzzle you have to figure out.
What does a typical day at GTEC look like for you?
We usually see a significant amount of patients coming to us in hopes of a diagnosis due to their primary care physician being unable to resolve their problems, or the patient is unable to find anyone to help them. Occasionally, we see patients that need immediate, emergency medical attention. We’re also able to take care of occupational health and work accidents, which can be interesting as well.
How does your job impact the patient’s emergency care experience?
As the RN, we start every patient experience with triage. I think that we have to set a precedent and atmosphere for the visit. Most patients come to us in some of their most vulnerable states and our job is to be there for the patient emotionally as well as for their physical health.
What’s it like working at a freestanding facility, and specifically, your facility?
I love working at a freestanding. The comradery and the ability to bond and develop relationships with our patients is my favorite part. Before, while at a large trauma center, we were all so busy we didn’t have time to spend with the patient and learn about their essential medical history. Having the opportunity to get to know our patients is a great advantage to working at a freestanding emergency center, like Golden Triangle Emergency Center.
GTEC is a no-wait concierge-level freestanding emergency center, providing our community with exceptional medical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for your care, including X-Ray, CT scanner and ultrasound. To learn more about our services, visit this page.
Have you visited GTEC? If so, let us know how we can improve!
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GTEC Announces 3nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Golden Triangle Emergency Center will be hosting our third annual charity golf tournament on Friday, June 9th. The tournament will be held at the Bayou Din golf course, located at 8537 Labelle Rd, Beaumont, TX 77705. It will begin at 8:00am, but there will be a 7:30am registration. Food and drinks will be provided.
The Charity Golf Tournament Benefits the United Way
Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to benefit our local branches of the United Way in Mid & South Jefferson County and Orange County. The United Way plays an important role in the community, improving the lives of those who are most in need. Services provided by the United Way include substance abuse counseling, housing and shelters, and educational programs. GTEC is pleased to be able to support the United Ways of Mid & South Jefferson County and Orange County so that they can continued to do such phenomenal work. Please come join us for this fun charity event. Last year with the help of those who participated we were able to raise $7,000!
How to Register for the 3nd Annual Golf Tournament
If you wish to participate in the tournament you can signup for a 4-person team at a cost of $300. You can also signup for a hole sponsorship at a cost of $125. Additionally there are several sponsorship options available including breakfast, swag items, cook teams, closest to the pin, and longest drive.
To register please click here or for more information about the charity tournament please contact our Director of Marketing Kari Busch:
Phone: 409-920-4470
Email: kbusch@gtec24.com
We are expecting a great turnout this year and know that with your help it can be our best tournament yet! Please come out for a fun and exciting day and help us support the valuable work done by the United Way.
Watch GTEC Patient Testimonials Videos
Watch GTEC Patient Testimonials Videos
Golden Triangle Emergency Center is committed to outstanding patient care and patient satisfaction. We pride ourselves on delivering the gold standard in emergency care and are always excited to receive feedback from our patients. These testimonials are particularly gratifying because they exemplify what our company stands for. The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) recently released these two videos interviewing patients about their experiences at GTEC Port Arthur and GTEC Orange.
What Jeanne Martin Had to Say About GTEC Port Arthur
In the above video Jeanne Martin discusses her experience as a patient at our Port Arthur facility. Jeanne describes the way she greeted right away by the receptionist as soon as she entered the facility and how impressed she was with the level of attentiveness from all the staff. She was particularly pleased by how well she was kept informed about the tests that were being done and she appreciated the quick results.
Jeanne was suffering from a heart condition that required her to be transferred to a hospital for additional care. She was pleased with how convenient the experience was and how she was able to be admitted directly into the hospital without having to wait in the hospital emergency room. Jeanne was also pleased with GTEC Port Arthur’s convenient location and says, that she would recommend our facility to anyone and everyone and will be back again if she’s in need of emergency medical care.
What Jimmie Wesson Had to Say About GTEC Orange
In the above video Jimmie Wesson discusses his experience as a patient at our Orange facility. Jimmie was experiencing a serious situation in which his pulse rate was too low. In these critical moments, Jimmie was relieved that he received immediate care as soon as he entered our facility. He commented that there was no wait whatsoever and that he was able to receive attentive, responsible care that covered every aspect of his health situation from a quick reliable diagnosis to treatment.
Jimmie says that he first came to the Orange center because it had been recommended by other satisfied patients and because the location was very close to where he lived and convenient to visit. He says that the care he received was comparable to or superior to the treatment he would have received at a hospital and would recommend our facility to everyone.
Golden Triangle Emergency Center’s goal is always to provide the resources, including health information our community needs to stay safe and healthy. However, when sickness or injuries do strike, Golden Triangle Emergency Center is there 24/7, 365 days a year with gold standard in emergency and industrial care.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Golden Triangle Emergency Center or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
GTEC Holds 2017 Easter Coloring Contest
Golden Triangle Emergency Center is pleased to announce that we will be holding our 2017 Easter coloring contest, effective now through Wednesday, April 12th at each of our locations. Winners will be announced at our annual Easter Egg Hunt and celebration! Please see the information below for the contest taking place in your area.
Our Port Arthur Coloring Contest and Celebration
Golden Triangle Emergency Center invites children in K-5 grade to participate in our coloring contest. Attached is a sheet for each student to color however they would like. Turn in the attached artwork to Golden Triangle Emergency Center (8035 Memorial Blvd Port Arthur, TX 77640) by April 12th with the child’s name, grade, school, and phone number written on the back for a chance to win a prize. There will be a boy and a girl winner from K-2 grade and 3-5 grade. Each winner will win an Easter Basket filled with Easter goodies. The winners will be announced on Saturday April 15th at the Annual Easter Egg hunt held at Doornbos Park. There will also be food, drinks and a whole lot more for your children to enjoy. The festivities are from 9-11am.
Our Orange Coloring Contest and Celebration
Golden Triangle Emergency Center invites children in K-5 grade to participate in our 2nd annual coloring contest. Attached is a sheet for each student to color however they would like. Please turn in the attached artwork to Golden Triangle Emergency Center (3107 Edgar Brown Drive Orange TX 77630) by April 12th with the child’s name, grade, school, and phone number written on the back. There will be a boy and a girl winner from k-2 grade and 3-5 grade. Each winner will receive an Easter Basket filled with goodies. The winners will be announced on Friday April 14th at the Annual Easter Egg hunt held at City of Orange Pavilion (Corner of 5th and Division). There will be food, drinks, moonwalk, balloons, face painting, prizes and a whole lot more for your children to enjoy, the festivities are from 9-12.