How To Survive The Emergency Room

Over the weekend I arrived in the Emergency Room with a loved one who ended up having emergency surgery. I have seen numerous Emergency Rooms in numerous hospitals in my Caregiver Warrior career and although I know the drill, it’s still a harrowing experience. What’s valuable, however, is the lessons I’ve learned by going through it time and time again. Here’re some tried and true tips I’ve put in my tool box for those Emergency Room visits. 1. Bring a list. Bring a complete list of all the medications, illnesses, and previous surgeries. The best case scenario is to have all of this information with you at all times so you can rattle it off to the ER staff or anytime you need it. It’s extremely important and helpful for the rapid response and care your loved one needs. 2. Bring a care package. I used to keep a lightweight bag by the front door area in my parent’s house that contained items I knew I would need while we were waiting in the hospital. Water, phone charger, sweater or sweatshirt, a paperback book or magazine, change of underwear, socks, toothbrush and travel toothpaste, snack bars. I scrambled a bit this time because this was a surprise situation, but I make sure I had the above items packed before we left. Not a bad idea to have a care kit in your house no matter what the situation is. 3. Go in with a good attitude. Try to stay calm, patient, positive, and gracious. This is extremely hard to do under duress and panic but the payoff is huge. The staff is trained to deal with all types of trauma and are usually extremely busy. Approaching them with a great attitude and patience makes their job so much easier and truly expedites the care you are given. It also creates a better atmosphere for the entire room which is beneficial for all. 4. Pull the curtain! Once checked in and assigned an area, pull the curtain and work at being calm. There is no reason to see the hustle and buster and pain and suffering around you. Try and make a little serene island for yourself.. The nurses and doctors know you are there and if you feel you need to remind them, you can always stroll out and finding your nurse inquire as to when you might be seen or what the status of the tests are. 5. ER’s have germs! Wear shoes, wash your hands thoroughly (sing row your boat 3 times as you lather and rinse under water) and don’t bring children unless they are the patient. 6. Alert the staff to changes in condition. If there is a change in the patient’s condition while you are waiting to be seen alert the nurses and doctors. They have scheduled your turn with the doctor according to your symptoms. Should there be a change in how the patient is feeling or acting notify the staff immediately. The emergency room is never a fun experience but try and surrender to the moment and try and make lemonade out of lemons. Your loved one’s state of mind will reflect yours and if you try and remain calm and positive you will create a soothing and healing environment. My recent trip to ER was, as my Dad used to say, a really good bad thing. I really did follow the above tips and truly believe it made our situation better and kept us sane during a really scary medical emergency. My loved one came through the crisis with flying colors and other than the fact the sitting in ER brought up old memories that made me reflective and a bit sad, I too walked away grateful and so thankful to everyone who helped us. May you have the same experience we were blessed with.