It’s the one healthcare experience you can never plan for or expect: A trip to a hospital emergency room.

But the truth is there are steps you can take ahead of time to prepare for a visit to the ER — a trip made by more than 130 million Americans each year, primarily for non-life-threatening problems that can mean hours of waiting for treatment.

One of the most important things you can do is be clear about why you’re there and what medical problems you have — in your first conversations with doctors and nurses, says Leana Wen, M.D., author of “When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests.”

She tells Newsmax Health that studies show that 80 percent of all diagnosis can be made just based on listening to a patient talk about his or her symptoms and medical history. Unfortunately, doctors sometimes steer patients toward a cookbook "chief complaint" or a series of "yes/no" answers. Learn to tell a succinct, effective story. Prepare and rehearse it.

“There are ways that patients can tell a better story to help their doctors better help them,” she explains. “Know your own medical history. Help me help you.”

Prevention Magazine recently rounded up 10 other need-to-know secrets from ER doctors and urgent care workers. These insider tips can help you minimize your misery time and maximize your quality of care, should you need to visit an ER.

No. 1: Think twice about an ambulance. An ambulance will get you into the hospital fast, but it won’t mean you'll be examined more quickly. The first person you’ll see at an ER is typically a triage nurse, who will rate the urgency of your case from 1 (“life-threatening”) to 5 (“have a seat in the waiting room, we’ll get to you when we can”).

No. 2: Ask your doctor to call ahead. If your physician believes you need urgent attention, he or she can pave the way for your arrival. Hospitals typically have a "pre-expect" form for a patient and his or condition when a doctor calls. Such patients tend to be seen sooner than others.

No 3: Bring medical paperwork. You should bring any recent test results and a list of doctors, medical conditions, allergies, and medications you take. It’s also a good idea to have another person with you to ask questions, take notes, and advocate on your behalf.

No. 4: Tell the truth. Lie about seeing blood in your urine and you may get into an exam room faster. But a fib like that can misdirect ER staffers, even if you later admit it isn’t true — meaning more tests and wasted time.

No. 5: Stay calm. Be firm and persistent in requesting care, but not nasty. If you feel you aren't getting attention in a reasonable amount of time, talk to the triage or charge nurse, or ask to see the social worker on duty.

No 6: Be selective about where you go. Do a little homework to identify hospital ERs that are better prepared than others to treat certain conditions, like strokes, burns, mental health issues, and children.

No. 7: Take names. Write down the name of your charge nurse, your assigned doctor, and that shift's attending physician. These are the people to ask for and who are responsible for you. If they're doing any tests, ask how long it will take for results.

No. 8: Ask questions. If you're told you need a test or procedure, ask why, what it's for, and what your other treatment options might be.

No. 9: Don't depend on your app. Phone apps can store your medical info, but a simple printout of your health information is your best bet.

No. 10: Go to an ER, as a last resort. Many doctors treat patients at hospitals ERs for injuries and illnesses that could be handled as routine care — more efficiently and cheaply — by doctors, clinics, or urgent care centers. Your best bet: Build a relationship with a doctor you can call for advice and, if necessary, make time to see you with little notice.

In addition, more than 10,000 urgent care facilities in the U.S. provide care that bring many people to a hospital ER — bone breaks, cuts that require stitches, minor illnesses. Find a good one near your home and keep the address and phone number handy.