My father is 93 years old and lives with my mother in their own home. A little after midnight, my father woke up and went to the bathroom and came back to bed. He complained of dizziness and a headache and he decided that my mother needed to call 911 for him. Even though the local hospital is only a few blocks away, calling 911 is the better option than trying to get someone to drive them to the hospital. If someone takes you the emergency room, there may be a long wait and lots of paperwork to fill out before you can be seen. The paramedics came quickly, assessed my father and took him to the emergency room where he was seen immediately. My sister was also called and she arrived within 45 minutes and they rushed to the emergency room to see my father. Fortunately, they ruled out serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke etc. He is now stable and feeling well. Everyone, young and old should consider creating a "Go List" in case they experience a sudden emergency requiring them to be go to the emergency room.
Think about what information the paramedics and the emergency room staff might need to help you quickly in an emergency:
1. Patient identification: driver's license, insurance cards etc.
2. List of medical conditions and issues:
a. Diseases and conditions (Including blood type, allergies, etc)
b. Disabilities such as difficulty hearing, seeing etc. Does the patient have wear contact lenses, glasses, hearing aids etc.
c. Communications issues: What languages does the patient speak? Is the patient demented or have other reasons for not being able to respond appropriately to questions.
d. Religious beliefs that may affect care (eg no transfusions).
e. Patient preferences as delineated in a durable power of attorney for health care
3. List of medications and the name and contact information of the patient's pharmacy/pharmacist
4. Name and contact information for primary physician and other healthcare professionals the patient routinely sees.
5. Names of emergency contacts such as family and friends and how to reach them. The primary caregiver should also be identified so the hospital knows who to consult about health care decisions, discharge and tp orient on post hospital care.
Have I missed any other important information to have handy? Keep a card or list with this information in a convenient place such as the patient's wallet or purse or even on a smartphone. A simple card or list will do for many people without a complicated health history but elderly and those with a more complicated situation should consider signing up for Medic Alert.
In addition, consider a "Go Bag" containing such things as a change of clothes, slippers, toiletries, medications, flashlight etc that might be needed in a sudden trip to the emergency room.
Posted by Sam Shimomura, PharmD, FASHP
Think about what information the paramedics and the emergency room staff might need to help you quickly in an emergency:
1. Patient identification: driver's license, insurance cards etc.
2. List of medical conditions and issues:
a. Diseases and conditions (Including blood type, allergies, etc)
b. Disabilities such as difficulty hearing, seeing etc. Does the patient have wear contact lenses, glasses, hearing aids etc.
c. Communications issues: What languages does the patient speak? Is the patient demented or have other reasons for not being able to respond appropriately to questions.
d. Religious beliefs that may affect care (eg no transfusions).
e. Patient preferences as delineated in a durable power of attorney for health care
3. List of medications and the name and contact information of the patient's pharmacy/pharmacist
4. Name and contact information for primary physician and other healthcare professionals the patient routinely sees.
5. Names of emergency contacts such as family and friends and how to reach them. The primary caregiver should also be identified so the hospital knows who to consult about health care decisions, discharge and tp orient on post hospital care.
Have I missed any other important information to have handy? Keep a card or list with this information in a convenient place such as the patient's wallet or purse or even on a smartphone. A simple card or list will do for many people without a complicated health history but elderly and those with a more complicated situation should consider signing up for Medic Alert.
In addition, consider a "Go Bag" containing such things as a change of clothes, slippers, toiletries, medications, flashlight etc that might be needed in a sudden trip to the emergency room.
Posted by Sam Shimomura, PharmD, FASHP
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