Posted on: Friday, May 13, 2005

Be prepared at the emergency room

Gannett News Service

Physicians advise emergency-room patients to come equipped with the following:

• A description of your symptoms.

• An advocate. This could be a family member, friend or caregiver who might help communicate with hospital staff and watch your belongings.

• A list of your current medications and dosages, including over-the-counter and prescribed drugs and herbal supplements. The medications you take can affect diagnosis and treatment. You might even be in the emergency room because of an unknown drug reaction. Some people bring a bag filled with their current medicines in lieu of a list.

• Names of primary-care physician and specialists.

• Insurance information and your co-payment. But if you have no health insurance, you will be treated. It's the law.

• Copy of living will.

• List of allergies, including drugs, foods, latex, etc.

• List of prior surgeries. It can speed up analysis.

• List of medical conditions. This includes asthma, diabetes, lupus, anemia, cancer — any condition for which you are being treated or monitored. Report conditions to the staff even if you find them embarrassing or don't want the companion with you to know.