If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1
Preparing for an Emergency Room Visit
At one time or another, most of us have experienced an Emergency Room first-hand, heard a story about an experience at the ER or at least seen it on television.A visit to the Emergency Room does not have to be stressful or frightening. With the right information you can reduce anxiety and have a positive experience. Here are some guidelines to help you prepare for arriving to the ER.
Bring a Family Member or Friend
Whenever possible it is a good idea to bring someone else with you to the ER. If your condition is serious, you may need someone to help provide information and communicate with staff.
Have Your Health History, Medications and Insurance Card Handy
According to many health care professionals, it is important for people to be prepared with all of their health information.
Make sure you keep the following items in a convenient place such as a wallet or purse so that you may grab them quickly when leaving your home. It's also a good idea to keep a copy of these items with your spouse, family member or caregiver:
- A list of the medications you take, allergies and major events in your health history.
- Copies of any recent medical tests or procedures.
- Names of your personal physicians.
- Emergency contact information.
- Health plan information.
- Advanced health care directives.
To help in this process, we invite you to sign up for the Medical Information and Access Card (MIAC). In a medical emergency, when time is precious, MIAC can help give crucial information to the medical providers who are caring for you. In addition, the card is recognized by area urgent care centers and emergency medical personnel.
More information about MIAC.
