| What do you do when a friend or relative has | | | | write it by hand. At the very least, include |
| an unexpected medical emergency and you have | | | | name, address, contact and insurance |
| to accompany them to the emergency room? If | | | | information, prescription medications and |
| it is a serious medical problem, you will | | | | allergies. Make sure to include additional |
| need to call the emergency services phone | | | | comments that are critical in an emergency |
| number 911 (in the U.S. and Canada) and be | | | | situation. |
| ready to provide important information about | | | | |
| the person's health. | | | | Fold the "Emergency Document", put it an |
| | | | envelope and write "IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" in |
| You may need to give ambulance paramedics | | | | big letters on the front. Put the envelope in |
| important health information. You may need to | | | | your purse, wallet or child's backpack. Keep |
| register the person at the emergency room and | | | | it with you at all times so a medical |
| provide additional information, including | | | | attendant can retrieve the health information |
| insurance documentation. Doctors, nurses and | | | | immediately. |
| medical staff will have questions to aid them | | | | |
| in making critical decisions. In other words, | | | | If you are responsible for other people, then |
| someone needs to take charge and that someone | | | | put the "Emergency Documents" for yourself |
| may be you! | | | | and the others in the same envelope. If you |
| | | | have a family, that might include you, your |
| When we think of emergency preparedness, we | | | | husband and children. Then give an envelope |
| usually think of food and water for an | | | | to every one in your family. You never know |
| unexpected natural or man-made disaster. And | | | | who needs to help the other! |
| if a serious medical emergency happens, we | | | | |
| just call 911 and the medical staff will take | | | | If and when you go to the emergency room, do |
| care of everything else. But think again. | | | | not leave your only copy with the first |
| | | | medical staff person you encounter. Either |
| What if your loved one is alone and can't | | | | have the first person make additional copies |
| speak to the medical staff? What if they are | | | | for you or bring several copies with you. |
| unconscious and unable to answer questions | | | | Usually you have to give the same information |
| about their medical condition and you don't | | | | over and over again to every new nurse, |
| know the answers? What if your child is at | | | | doctor and technician that will be |
| school and medical records are unavailable? | | | | responsible for your emergency care! And make |
| You could be on a vacation, commuting, or | | | | sure the correct information is on the |
| even in a foreign country. | | | | patient's wristband. |
| | | | |
| The answer is simple. Prepare an "Emergency | | | | An "Emergency Document" is another kind of |
| Document". If you have a computer, type the | | | | health insurance. If a medical emergency does |
| information and print it. Save this document | | | | occur, you will be prepared to handle it |
| where it can easily be changed and reprinted | | | | calmly, quickly, and efficiently to aid in |
| when necessary. If you don't have a computer, | | | | the medical care of yourself or a loved one. |