Be Prepared: Visiting the ER

ChickyHip · **Be Prepared: Visiting the ER**

Here's a check list I found about making a file that you would be able to grab and go in case you needed to go to the emergency room.

a short medical history--surgeries, major illnesses
current medications
doctors and phone numbers
current medical conditions
immunizations
allergies--drugs, latex, etc.
insurance info

You can go to GoodHousekeeping.com and print off a medical form for each member of your family: Printable Medical History Forms - Emergency Health Information - Goodhousekeeping.com

Do you have anything like?

deemom · 05-16-2008, 09:38 PM

I'm allergic to ingredients in anesthesia. One doctor has perfected the "recipe" of medication that minimizes my reaction. My mother and I each have a copy of it in our purses and dh does in his wallet.

Please, always know your medication and your allergies. You won't believe the number of times I've heard "I'm allergic to a white pill". Yep, that's helpful.

desertmom · 05-16-2008, 09:47 PM

I'm allergic to latex, in that I can't have patches, bandaids or any dressing that has latex in it. I'll break out badly.

Thank you for this. It's good to have this in your car, too. I go to my Dr., and have to keep a list of meds that my neurologist has me on because the two just don't communicate. And I know from experience, when you are in the ER, you're in a fog anyway, and probably may not be able to, or don't want to take the energy to, communicate all this, and your spouse probably doesn't have the info.

And they asked my Dr. name...I said Dr. Wilson. So they proceeded to look him up. Do you have any ideas how many Dr. Wilson's there are in my metro area? Me either. They were stumped. I finally asked about what was taking so long and they told me they were trying to contact my Dr. When I said how odd, he usually responds immediately, the nurse checked and said they were trying to find the right one. Well, I had his business card in my purse - the outside pocket. I was coherent enough to know that, if they'd asked. Just goes to show ya.

And this is off topic, but if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't. They wouldn't let me up to go to the bathroom. They wanted me to use a bedpan....I'd just had a baby 2 days before with lots of tearing...no way! I had to basically plead for something else before they had brains to bring me a portable. And they had no toilet paper. They had to give me washcloths, that I threw away EACH time. Have any idea how much water you are losing 2 days after childbirth? Didn't know enough to demand a catheter, which they ended up using once I was admitted to a hospital room.

melsb · 05-16-2008, 09:51 PM

I used files like these when I worked with the group home of teenage boys. You might also want to add in consent forms for different family members allowing them to take your child to the hospital. I think they're all different, requirements, per state but I'm not sure.

2littleonesmommy · 05-17-2008, 05:24 AM

I carry a 3X 5 index card on every one in my family in my wallet. States name, age, allergies, doctors and diseases.

I do this because if we are every out and someone has an emergency and the paramedics are called I can give them the 3 X 5 card.

ChickyHip · 05-17-2008, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2littleonesmommy

I carry a 3X 5 index card on every one in my family in my wallet. States name, age, allergies, doctors and diseases.

I do this because if we are every out and someone has an emergency and the paramedics are called I can give them the 3 X 5 card.

That's a great idea!

LawDawg · 05-17-2008, 02:41 PM

I have a form for each one of the kids that I left, along with permissions to treat, for my in laws when DH and I recently went on a vacation. I never thought to carry them with me.

I think I will start keeping a card in my wallet.

skimommy · 05-17-2008, 02:48 PM

Whew, for a minute I thought someone in your family was hurt when I saw the title.

Thanks for the update, that is something I didn't think about having handy.

AyeOhKay · 05-17-2008, 03:09 PM

I've mentioned before that I keep a medical binder for each member of our family. I also put 3X5 cards in sleepover bags, diaper bags, etc.

I now carry an expandable folder for myself (lots of stuff going on). I also keep a copy of my POA and Living Will in it.