What Every Family Should Know Before Entering the Emergency Room

Every year, millions of people become ill and findpregnancies (including miscarriages). The health care
themselves headed for a hospital. Many of us live instaff requires this information in the event that
towns where there are no "Urgent Care" facilities andx-rays are needed or if medication has to be
the lack of affordable health insurance for someadministered in the hospital. If pain is present, be
precludes them from walking into a doctor's office.prepared to show where it is and to describe it, i.e.,
Depending on the city you live in, walking into the ERsharp or dull, constant or intermittent and how the
can be a very frightening experience. Some citiesintensity rates on a scale of 1-10. Also, be prepared
have extremely busy emergency rooms in whichto describe all other symptoms in detail. In the event
patients wait for hours in agony and the staff isof stomach pain & discomfort, the color,
simply overwhelmed. Other cites have free standingfrequency and consistency of recent stools will have
Urgent Care businesses on every corner, whichto be noted. When describing any symptoms, be as
absorb a great deal of emergent patients, allowingdetailed as possible regarding anything unusual that
their hospital emergency rooms to run rather quicklyhas been seen or felt. The more information the
and efficiently. Whatever the case may be, beingnurse has about a patient's overall health, will allow
prepared ahead of time and knowledgeable aboutfor a more accurate diagnosis by the physician after
certain things can save you and your family a greatthe physical exam.
deal of frustration and even a life.During the next stage of assessments, which is the
The first thing that every head of household shouldphysician's exam, patients will have to undress
do, is start an emergency plan of action in the event(usually completely) and don a hospital gown that
of an illness, while everyone is still in good health. Thisopens in the back. Here is where a packed robe and
is especially true if you have children and elderlyflip flops come in handy until the doctor arrives in the
members living in the home. Start by always havingroom for the examination. After the physical exam,
an overnight duffel bag pre-packed for each memberblood tests are usually ordered and a urine sample
of your household in the case of an emergencysometimes collected. Children and some adults may
admission. Each member's bag should alwayshave to be distracted while their blood is drawn, due
accompany them if an ER visit becomes necessary.to a fear of needles. Further testing such as x-rays,
Make sure to first include in these bags requiredsonograms, CAT scans and/or MRI's may also be
information, i.e., copies of insurance cards (back andrequired. These are all expensive but sometimes
front), a list of all your chronic illnesses, list of allnecessary diagnostic tests, none of which cause any
current medications and doses, list of all physiciansdiscomfort or pain. They are totally non-invasive to
and their phone numbers and your family medicalthe body. Any testing that is invasive (equipment
history (parents, siblings and grandparents).being introduced into the body, except for lab work),
Second, include basic comfort items for a possiblewill require a patient or parental consent form signed
overnight stay, i.e., comfortable pajamas, a robe,by the patient and physician. These more involved
rubber 'flip flops,' a wash cloth, pair of sox,diagnostic tests may require an actual hospital
toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, comb or brush,admission. How these invasive procedures feel and
contact lens products or glasses(if used), chap stick,are conducted, depend on the actual test. Some
about $5.00 in cash, a small notebook and pen (veryinvasive procedures may require sedation, which may
important), and any important phone numbers you'llallow for no discomfort at all. Only the physician can
need. All adults should have and include a Living Willdetermine what is required in order to complete a
drawn up, signed and notarized. A Living Willpatient's diagnosis.
designates who you would like to represent youIt is during the period in which a patient is being
medically in the event that you are unable to do soassessed and diagnosed by the doctor(s), that the
for yourself. A hospital social worker can also assist innotebook and pen are to be put to good use. Make
this upon request. Third, if there are children in thesure that every physician and specialist that has
home, placing copies of immunization records in theircontact at this point gives their first name, last name
bags is very important. All these items play anand title. This could be of great importance if an
important role towards preparedness because in theadmission is required. The professional staff will be
event of an accident or emergency illness, vitalmore apt to do the right things and be on their "P's
information can be easily forgotten. Also, if a patient& Q's" when they realize that their names are
does become admitted, they can be left withoutbeing recorded, therefore holding them accountable.
basic personal care supplies for hours, depending onIf for any reason patients are not comfortable with
the time of their admission.the care being received from any staff member, it is
All caretakers and babysitters must be made awaretheir patient right to request the care of someone
of these bags and have access to them at all timeselse with equal qualifications. Too often patients are
just in case. Keep signed letters in your children'streated unprofessionally or inappropriately and believe
packed bags simply stating that you "(the parent)that they are stuck with the doctor or nurse who
consent for hospital treatment of (said child) in theinitiated their treatment. This is not the case at all.
event of an emergency." Also, make sure that theSpend some of the waiting time reading the "Patient
consent is signed and dated. If a sitter is chargedBill of Rights." They are standard policy and very
with the responsibility of transporting an ill child to theenforceable, so keep notes on whatever you feel is
ER, treatment cannot be attempted without arelevant and list all questions that you need answered
parent's expressed consent. Therefore, this letter willby the nurses or physicians.
save vital time if a parent cannot be reached byIf a decision is made by the ER physician to proceed
phone. Most importantly, make sure that allwith an inpatient admission, continue to document
caretakers are familiar with the contents of the bags.names and titles of caretakers on the unit of
Unnecessary anxiety can be avoided when everyoneadmission. Also, request the name and extensions for
is prepared in an emergency.the Patient Care Coordinator (PCC) of that unit, the
The first thing that everyone will have to do uponextension of the front desk, the names and numbers
arrival to the ER is to register themselves or theirfor the hospital Director of Nursing (DON) as well as
family member. Have all insurance information out ofthe Medical Director. In the event that a patient's
the bag and ready to be presented. Answer allrights are ever violated while a in a hospital or the
geographic and financial questions carefully andstaff is inappropriate in any way, the patient should
accurately. Mailing addresses and phone numbers toreport it directly to the PCC. Do not stop there if it is
your insurance company are usually on the back ofnot handled satisfactorily and immediately. Anyone
the card. In the event of an admission to thewho ever becomes admitted to a hospital facility in
hospital, it is the responsibility of the patient orthe USA, will be billed more per night than any 4 star
patient representative, not the hospital, to notify theluxury resort anywhere in the world. Healthcare is a
insurance company by phone within 48 hours. Thebusiness like any other and a competitive one at that.
payment of claims could be severely affected orA patient can even be transferred to another facility
denied if this procedure is not adhered to. Also, it isat their own request, provided that they are stable
important to receive a copy of the "Patient Bill ofenough physically to be transported. Patients should
Rights." This is crucial reading, don't just stash itexpect nothing but the best when it comes to
away. Every patient should know their rights andhospital care and should never settle. Only the best
what to expect from their caregivers. With all theshould do for anyone's physical well being. Also, never
necessary information readily at hand, registrationbe fooled into believing that one hospital is more
should flow smoothly.capable than another. Most of them are fully capable
The next step will be meeting with a nurse for ato give patients the best possible care. In the event
written physical assessment, so be prepared tothat a hospital is not capable of completely treating a
answer certain questions. Some of the answers willpatient, it is their legal responsibility to stabilize that
already be in the bag such as the meds/dosagespatient and transport them to a facility that can.
being taken, all chronic illnesses, a Living Will ifPatients should always remain aware, make sure that
available, and family medical history. Having it all onall treatment is understood and document the staff
hand allows for accurate recall of importantand their treatment well.
information. All women of childbearing age will beWe all have one body and one priceless life. Demand
expected to recall the beginning date of their lastproper care and treatment by being prepared in
menstrual cycle, all pregnancies and all terminatedadvance of a medical emergency.