| It is so important to keep an updated medical | | | | time with your loved one. Any information that |
| history form on hand at all times. I'll give you a | | | | they need they can obtain from the health history |
| case scenario. | | | | form that you provided them with. Basically with |
| You arrive at the hospital ER with your loved one. | | | | the exception of a few more questions all that |
| First you're stopped at patient access where you | | | | remains is the primary reason for the hospital |
| have to provide all of your insurance and physician | | | | visit, any tests that need to be done and the |
| information. From there you give your health | | | | head to toe assessment. Working as a medical |
| history to the ER nurse, and sometimes the | | | | nurse for over ten years, I have come to learn |
| doctor will even have you to repeat it (depending | | | | that having a health history form can make the |
| on the line of communication between the hospital | | | | world of difference. |
| staff). Then you arrive on the floor, and it's time | | | | Your medical history form should include (but does |
| for the hospital admission and you're asked the | | | | not have to be limited to the following) name, |
| same questions again. All you want at this point in | | | | address, emergency contact, any allergies, |
| the whole process is for medical care to begin. | | | | insurance information, brief medical history, |
| Now...the questions asked are essential to good | | | | surgeries, any current medications, flu and |
| quality care, but when you're worried about a | | | | pneumonia information, advance directive, living |
| loved one the last thing you want is to keep | | | | will, and primary physician information. This is |
| repeating the same information. It can be | | | | enough so that medical personnel can properly |
| redundant, especially during a stressful time. | | | | and quickly begin to facilitate care. |
| Then there are times when a person comes in to | | | | It takes a little time to prepare a good thorough |
| the ER and family can't stay until the patient is | | | | medical health history form but the end result and |
| assessed and sent to the appropriate floor. This | | | | your peace of mind will make any time spent well |
| could be a problem if the patient is too weak to | | | | worth it. Once you complete your medical history |
| speak or has dementia. It impedes care. Many | | | | form put it in a safe place (one you will |
| patients will already have a list of medications on | | | | remember) and then be comforted in the fact |
| hand when they arrive, but with your medical | | | | that should the time present itself you will have all |
| history form on hand.... you arrive to the ER or | | | | of the information needed to quickly begin care |
| the main floor.... allow medical personnel to make a | | | | for your loved one. |
| copy of your health history form while you spend | | | | |