Spectrum Health is asking patients to consider all options before going to the emergency room.
Dr. Erica Michiels, the associate medical director at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital emergency department, says they are asking patients to be deliberate about seeking emergency care and contemplate visiting their primary care doctor, urgent care or virtual options first.
The hospital says it typically sees 160 patients a day this time of the year.
However, they have been averaging 200 patients a day, which is causing longer wait times.
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