Be Prepared for a Medical Emergency

Your next medical emergency is just as likely to happen at 2:17am as it is at 3:15pm---any day of the week. Your medical emergency may involve a trip to the local Emergency Room or an unexpected hospitalization. It could also happen while you are on vacation (in a strange town) or while you're visiting Aunt Betsy at the old family homestead. No matter where it happens, you can be prepared.

Make a List!

For yourself, and each member of the household, make a list of:

• current medical issues (such as "diabetes")
• current medications
• known allergies
• physicians (family physician and specialists, if applicable)
• prior hospitalizations
• prior surgeries
• current physical restrictions
• family history (if applicable)

Current Medical Issues: The obvious "issues" are diseases, disorders, syndromes, and any other "recognized" medical complaint (such as "migraines"). You should also include "date (age) of onset" for each medical problem. If the list is more than two or three issues, arrange the list in chronological order, according to date (age) of onset.

Current Medications: The hardest thing to "remember" in a time of medical emergency is what medications you are taking, medication strength, and medication dosage. Often, you can remember that you take your heart medication in the morning---but do you remember the brand/generic name of each, the medication strength (usually indicated in "mg" [milligrams] or some other unit measurement), and how many times you take it each day (often indicated as something like "with each meal" on the prescription label). The best way to make the list is to get all of your prescription medication (boxes, bottles, tubes) and put them on the table next to you. Pick up each and transfer the information that is on the label onto your list. Be sure to include: drug name, drug strength, dosage (times per day), and prescribing doctor. You should also include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, including pain relievers, vitamins, herbal and nutritional supplements, and other medications (such as anti-acids). BE HONEST. If you take more than the recommended dose or take untested or non-regulated drugs or supplements, then the doctor will need to know about it (as it may affect the manner in which you need to be treated).

TIP: Keep the printout that you get from the pharmacy for each of your medications. Put the printouts in a file folder. This helps to centralize the information you will need about your medications.

Known Allergies: Even if you take medication for them, be sure to list the
specific allergies that you deal with. Also, if you have "unpleasant reactions"
to eating particular foods (not really an allergy, per se), you should make note
of that as well. During a medical emergency there are many factors that come
into play and giving a treating paramedic and/or physician too much information
is better than not giving them enough information.

Physicians: List names, addresses, and phone numbers for physicians
whom you are seeing on a regular basis (even if "regular" is a once-yearly
physical examination). If you go to clinics for treatments (such as a dialysis
clinic), list that as well. Physicians and other medical facilities may need to
be contacted to get your most current medical records.

TIP: Collect business cards for physicians and clinics. Lay the business cards on a
copier surface and simply copy all of the cards.

Prior Hospitalizations and Surgeries: Unless you are creating a Medical
Emergency List for a child, it generally isn't important to list the fact that
you had a tonsillectomy in 1978. However, you should list all relevant
hospitalizations and surgeries that pertain to an ongoing issue. Provide the
hospital name, city and state, general date (October 2002 is sufficient, or just
the year if that's all you remember), and reason for admission. List the types
of surgeries (by generality such as "back surgery" or specifically such as
"laminectomy" if you have that information).

Current Physical Restrictions: If you are under a physician's order not to lift
more than 5 pounds, or cannot drive because of medications you are taking, make
note of that. If you have physical "limitations" due to arthritis, age, or any
other general health factor, it is wise to note that as well. Remember that
"more information" is always better than "too little information."

Family History: Physicians generally want to know about your own "immediate
family" (grandparents, parents, and siblings): diseases, cause of death, age at
time of death (if or as applicable). If you don't know specifics, then include
what information you do have (even if that information is "all living" or
"unknown").

Keep the Lists Handy!

Create a list for each member of the family (including newborns). If possible, include all of the information on one sheet of paper. Keep these lists in an envelope or folder that is in a readily accessible place. Make sure that all members of the household know where the list is kept (surprisingly, very young children often play a key role in getting emergency care for an older sibling or parent who experiences an at-home emergency). If your 11-year-old son falls out of the top bunk in the middle of the night, all you need to do is grab that envelope or folder on your way out the door. All of the information an emergency physician will need will be at your fingertips because your mind will be on your son...not on remembering his pediatrician's phone number.

Tip: Make 3 copies of each family member's list. At the time of a medical emergency, you can just give the whole page to a paramedic, triage nurse, or ER physician so that it can be included in the patient's chart.

Update the Lists!

When anything changes---a medication is changed, a new physician is seen, or you've just gotten home from the hospital---update the list! If you are pressed for time, then simply make a copy of something (drug printout from the pharmacy, discharge orders from the hospital, new doctor's business card) and clip it to the list. As soon as practicable, formally update the list---and don't forget to make NEW copies and discard the old ones.

Medical emergencies are stressful events. Avoid some of the stress by knowing ahead of time that should an emergency arise, you have all the information a paramedic, nurse, or physician will need to treat the patient promptly and provide the care that is needed.

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