Hospital Emergency!
Drop everything and HURRY!
It can happen at any time or any age, but as we grow older it happens more frequently - probably because we become “responsible” for others who are increasingly frail. Heck we even become less physically robust ourselves over time. Darn it.
A normal day shifts quickly . . . from an ambulance to an ER.
I have become a “frequent flier” of sorts for running to the hospital as the “designated person” for my sweet mama. We have lived with her chronic illness for 40 some years. As much as this is always a bit of a shock on any particular day, I have had lots of practice and I have kept a checklist in my head.
Most of us will move swiftly at some time to either assist a loved one who is injured or ill -- or “take ourselves” to the hospital. Save time and unnecessary emotion when you are already at a high from adrenaline, by having a checklist or a “go bag” at the ready. Even then you will likely forget things, but hopefully not many. Most importantly, this will enable you to focus on supporting your person (or focusing on your own care) so you can make better decisions.
I am sharing my checklist here. Feel free to save it somewhere handy.
Hospital Emergency Checklist
When you answer the call or find yourself responding fast, try to grab the following or set a plan to grab these items very soon:
Extra long cell phone cord and jack.
This can be used in the ER and can be left with the patient if they are admitted. Be sure to label it with the stickers they give you at the hospital, or ask for tape and write the patient’s full name on the tape and attach it to the cord.Medication list medication bottles showing pills or drops or injection amount, time taken and dosage per pill or drop or injection.
List of past surgeries or procedures and dates/complications, locations and doctors
List of allergies or sensitivities to medication or equipment components.
List of vaccinations (including dates). For example, when was tetanus last administered? If there is a wound, this becomes very important.
Legal documents that clarify who can legally make decisions for healthcare if such documents exist. I sure hope they do. If they don’t, right now is the time to get them started, as well as, how to contact those people and immediately put them on notice so they can be available.
Car/house keys (not a good time to get locked out) - both your own and those of the person you are supporting.
Cell phones - yours and the person headed to the hospital. Add a label to it as well.
Your wallet -You may need gas or you may need food while you wait. Wait times have been absolutely crazy lately.
The patient’s health insurance card and legal ID. Yes, even if you live in a small town, the hospital staff must register the patient.
Someone needs to be in charge of the patient’s wallet/purse and keys. Discuss this with them.
Zipper bag for jewelry and personal items if they stay at the hospital (it is easy to lose these little things, and sometimes the hospital will provide a little plastic case...but not always).
Glasses and glasses case. If either of you wear contacts, this can be critical. The patient may be required to remove them and your eyes may get dry. If either of you are headed there with only sunglasses, you will wish you had regular ones. Both of you will need to see documents and read instructions.
Any special equipment or supplements that are not “normally” found in a hospital. Include anything the patient relies on for comfort or stability. Be sure to label it.
Throw on - or grab - comfortable clothing if you have the chance. The hospital ER is usually pretty chilly. I wear sweats and take a sweatshirt if I can. And I try to wear sneakers for both comfort and mobility.
List of people to contact. It is important to keep key people informed.
Plans for child (or elder) care. Does someone need to pick-up carpool or take grandpa to the doctor while you are at the hospital?
Are there any pets at your house or the patient’s home? Someone needs to feed them and let them out, or there will be another mess to deal with upon discharge.
Turn off the oven or stove. Unplug the iron. Turn off the hose watering the tree...Or someone else will have to do it later when you remember in horror. Been there. Yep.
Any medication YOU may need while you wait. These waits can be long and you matter.
Comfort items for you. Water, snacks, a book, pen, paper, and your computer with charge cord. Sometimes you can get some work done, but sometimes you can’t. It is nice to have the option. I find that I need to provide comfort and then I just zone out and can’t muster much work...but if you have a deadline, you will avoid more stress if you take your computer with you! I also grab a bottle of water so it’s handy.
And when you jump into your car, look behind it in the driveway. Try not to back into your spouse’s or child’s car in the middle of the night…if they happened to park it behind yours and you don’t see it at 2 am in the dark when you answer an urgent or emotional phone call from a dead sleep. It takes time to grab the keys to move it, but takes more time and expenditure of adrenaline which is already on high if you hit something in your rush. Yeah. I have done that, too.
I hope this helps!
Next time, I’ll give you a list for “longer stays” in a hospital or care center. Yay, right?
Best,
Christy