Emergency! Are You Prepared? (part two)
A physician’s perspective
John G. Wallace, Jr., M.D.
Fellow, American College of Emergency Physicians
Diplomat, American Board of Internal Medicine
Can one prepare for a medical emergency? or is preparing for the unexpected impossible? Is it possible to help your treating physicians better understand your illness and presenting symptoms?
As an Emergency Physician, I see many patients with a significant medical history who arrive in the Emergency Room unprepared to ensure that their caregiver, who may be seeing them for the first time, is properly informed regarding the particulars of their case. Most egregiously, sometimes they don’t know their medications either, stating “it’s the little blue pill” or in response to questions about medical history state: “You have my medical history” or “Can’t you call my Doctor? He has all my records”. Caregivers make every effort to obtain the information that some patients are unable to convey, but it is possible to eliminate the unknown and the medical errors that can stem from the unknown when patients present with a typed and orderly version of the following:
• cogent medical history and germane surgeries
• (unrelated surgeries can be listed separately)
• exact list of medicines and recent treatments
• medical allergies
• names and contact info of regular caregivers and specialists
• recent lab test results, if germane
• copies of the written radiology reports, or the discs/films themselves
• if cardiac history, a copy of an EKG, echocardiogram or catheterization report.
The premium in value goes up for presenting this information if the pre-existing illness is rare and one normally seen only at referral centers, or if the patient is being seen in a facility where they are have had no prior visits. In the event that the patient presents with an altered mental state from a medical condition or injury, having a medic alert bracelet or emergency contact info contained in a cell phone (ICE) to provide this information would be most helpful.
Yes, by being proactive you can prepare for the unexpected healthcare encounter and help caregivers provide you the best care possible for your presenting symptoms and illness. By way of example, please read the attached medical visit history and medical resume (see sample medical resume).
As printed in the VHL Family Forum 19:1, January/February 2011. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.
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