We all need to think about what would happen in a worst case scenario.
If you have a family member sick at home and at risk of being hospitalized: have an emergency go bag for the hospital. Visitors are not being allowed in now. Things you should have in the bag:
- Written UPDATED accurate list of medications: name, dose, frequency. Initials after name of medication are important too such as: XL, XR, LA, IR, ER, SR
- Cell phone charger! Patients always have phones without battery! You can be in the emergency room for 6 to 48 hours!
- List of emergency contacts and phone numbers on paper! If the patient is unconscious and phone is locked or battery out..
- Good toothbrush and hair brush. Hospital toiletries are cheap. This isn’t the Hilton.
- 3 pairs of underwear. Can vary depending on the condition of the patient, but if I were hospitalized in non critical condition I would want my own underwear.
- Primary Care Doctor. Full name, phone number, office address.
- Book or something to read. I have yet to find a hospital with decent Wi-Fi.
- Copy of legal paperwork such as health care proxy, advance directive, or MOLST
- If patient has a pacemaker or defibrillator: a copy of the pocket information card that states the brand, model number, MRI compatibility.
- If the patient has asthma or COPD, bring the inhalers. Hospitals are running out.
- Extra batteries for hearing aid or other medical devices.
I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST LEAVING A COPY OF YOUR HEALTH CARE PROXY / EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION / HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION ATTACHED TO THE SIDE OF YOUR REFRIGERATOR WITH A MAGNET. EMT’S ARE TRAINED TO LOOK FOR EMERGENCY INFORMATION THERE IN THE EVENT THAT YOU NEED TO CONTACT 911 BUT CANNOT SPEAK.