Hello friends, welcome back to my blog. I work at an acute care hospital as the pharmacy director. No one will ever think that they will have to go to the hospital, and I get it. But if you have to go to the emergency room unwillingly, it’s important to have this INFORMATIONS ready: 

1) Identification and insurance information

Bring your driver’s license, passport, or any other form of identification. 

Additionally, bring your health insurance card or information so that the hospital can verify your coverage. I always carry my insurance card in my wallet. You can download it from your insurance website and laminate a copy. 

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2) Emergency contact information 

Carry a list of your emergency contacts, including phone numbers and addresses. This will be helpful in case the hospital needs to reach someone on your behalf.

3) List of medications and allergies 

Home medication history and allergies are so important because nurses and doctors need this information to give appropriate medical advice. Information health systems that hospitals use to order medication, such as Cerner or Epic, require patients’ allergies prior to the pharmacist’s verification of the order.

As a pharmacist, the two most common values that we check when verifying medication are ALLERGY and RENAL FUNCTION. There are situations when healthcare workers can’t document a patients’ allergies because the patient is unconscious or unable to speak for themselve. When that happens, we must document under the Allergy section: “Unable to verify.” Even Though this allows pharmacists to go ahead and verify the medication, it poses a risk of potential drug allergy. 

Make a list of all the medications you are currently taking, including the dosage and frequency. Include over-the-counter medications, supplements, and any allergies or adverse reactions you have experienced in the past. 

After being evaluated, ED physicians will decide whether to admit you to the hospital floors depending on the severity of your symptoms. Once they do that, they will have to do a Medication Reconciliation process (Med Rec.) The nurse will ask you for a list of all medications you are CURRENTLY taking at home:

Name of the medication, strength, route, frequency

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4) Medical history

Write down any significant medical conditions you have, previous surgeries, and any relevant medical history. This information will assist the healthcare providers in understanding your medical background.

5) Primary care doctor info

We need the name, address and phone number of your doctor. If you don’t have one, that is ok. 

6) Symptoms and timeline

Please note down the symptoms you are experiencing, when they started, and any factors that may have triggered them. This information will help medical professionals evaluate your condition more accurately.

7) Personal essentials and a snacks

Bring any personal items you may need during your visit, such as a change of clothes, toiletries, glasses or contact lenses, and any assistive devices you use regularly (e.g., hearing aids, mobility aids)

I have never been to an ER that I get to be seen right away. Plan for a minimum wait time of at least 60 mins. If you remember, bring a granola bar.

Remember that in an emergency, your primary focus should be on seeking immediate medical attention. If you cannot gather all of these items, don’t delay your trip to the emergency room. The medical staff will prioritize your care and can work with you to obtain any necessary information later on.

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