|
Post emergency information
consolidate important emergency information. Make sure that you
list contact numbers, including the patient's doctors and other
members of the health care team. This information should be photo-
copied and put in places that are easily accessible, such as next
to the telephone and on the refrigerator.
Know when to call for an ambulance
There are certain instances in which recognizing an emergency and
calling 911 can save a person's life. However, since ambulance service
can be extremely expensive when not covered by insurance, it is
important to know exactly when it is necessary. Always call for
an ambulance if a person...
If you know CPR or other emergency procedures, you should call for an ambulance before
doing anything else. Once you make the call, you can care for the patient until help arrives.
Learn first aid and basic emergency procedures
If you are not familiar with CPR or other emergency procedures,
and
would like to learn, you can take a course from the American Red
Cross.
You should always call 911 or an ambulance before performing CPR
or first aid.
To locate a Red Cross near you, contact:
American
Red Cross
431 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(703) 206-7090
www.redcross.org
Going to the
Emergency Room (ER)
Most
people try to avoid going to the ER at all costs. However, there are times when the patient's need for care is urgent, and
you must go to the emergency room. Here are some things that you can do to make going to the ER more satisfying:
 |
If you think that the patient's condition may lead you to the ER,
pack a bag in advance.
|
|
Make sure you are familiar with the patient's medical history, in case
the patient cannot speak for him/herself. Keep a list of important information, such as past health problems, allergies, and current medications
and dosages. Click here to print and fill out a My Medication & OTC list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Going to the (ER) continued
|
|
|
|
|
Be able to describe exactly what the patient's problem is, when it started,
what may have caused it, and if the patient was given any medication
or other treatments.
|
|
Know the patient's legal rights and responsibilities while in the hospital.
"A Patient's Bill
of Rights" is a document developed by the American Hospital
Association outlining the patient's rights regarding health care and appropriate treatment from staff within the hospital.
|
|
Use good communication skills. Though the ER can be a frustrating place,
it will not serve you well to take your anger out on the staff. Try to be understanding and patient, while being assertive.
To do this, follow these tips for better communication:
| - |
Don't be afraid to speak up if you feel that the patient's rights are being violated or if you are not satisfied with the patient's care.
|
| - |
Tell the health care professional about your dissatisfaction with
care in a direct way that is not demanding or disrespectful.
|
| - |
Speak in a way that does not put the health care professional on the defensive.
When talking, use "I" statements, such as, "I don't like that my mother
is in so much pain," rather than, "Why won't you do some-thing about my mother's pain?" This sounds less accusatory, and expresses
how you are feeling to the other person.
|
| - |
Be clear about what you and/or the patient need in order to feel
comfortable and content with the care.
|
| - |
Listen carefully to what the health care professional has to say and ask
for clarification to make sure that you fully understand what is being said before responding.
|
| - |
Be sensitive to the health care professional's limitations in his/her ability
to help you and the patient. ER staff members are usually very busy, over-worked and tired. Don't assume that they are just
unpleasant or unwilling to help. | |
|
For patients who go to the ER frequently (e.g. pHD's who fall, etc.), try to develop good relationships with familiar ER staff members.
|
|
Know the ER chain of command. If you are not happy with the care
the patient is receiving or if there is a problem with a particular staff
member, identify the appropriate person to speak to.
There is a nurse manager who oversees the nurses and a chief physician
who supervises the residents and other physicians. You should speak to one of these two people for problems with staff on
the floor.
If you still are not satisfied with the patient's care, you can always
make a complaint to the hospital patient representative or administrator.
| |
