I got in to see a retina specialist within three hours based on a stat referral from a general ophthalmologist. But I did have a retinal hemorrhage at the time.

I got in to see a retina specialist within three hours based on a stat referral from a general ophthalmologist. But I did have a retinal hemorrhage at the time. Certain tests - e.g., echocardiography - are almost always ordered "stat" in the hospital. So it really means nothing unless the referring doctor calls the lab where they are performed and says "we are holding up an entire operating room and its personnel pending the results of this test". THAT gets results. So, yes, "stat" referrals will get you in very quickly - but the referring doctor is placing their credibility on the line by doing so. They are asking the doctor being referred to to go out of their way and delay other patients in order to see you because what you have is something that needs to be seen right now. The referring doctor had better have a good reason to do so, or they will become the boy who cried wolf and get ignored. Likewise, it's allowed for one surgeon to "bump" another one for an emergency case - but they have to call them personally and explain why this emergency can't even wait for a couple of hours (aside from massive trauma, almost all can).