If you had to go to the emergency room right now, would you be prepared? The truth is, emergencies can happen at any moment, anywhere. Car and bicycle accidents, heart attacks, and sports and other serious injuries are not planned events, but taking a little time to plan for the unexpected could take a lot of the stress out of the experience.
“Create a list of your health care providers, along with any medications you are taking and the dosage, and have that information accessible,” said Dr. Tressa Gardner, emergency department medical director at McLaren Greater Lansing. “These are simple things you can do to prepare for a possible emergency.”
For instance, if you are is on several different types of medications, it may be difficult to remember them all while experiencing an emergency — but this information is important for the emergency care team to know during treatment and triage. Taking pictures of medications or doctor cards and storing them on a phone may be one way to have this information readily on hand when in need.
Your odds of having an emergency are a little higher in the summer months, according to the Pew Research Center. In fact, Pew reports that during the summer holidays, an average of 45,000 people visit hospital emergency rooms across the country.
“We see a lot of injuries from accidents, drownings, alcohol intoxication, and fireworks,” said Dr. Gardner. “And with the summer heat, heat strokes and dehydration are often common as well.”
Courtesy Photo-Dr. Tressa Gardner, Emergency Department Medical Director at McLaren Greater Lansing
Some of those injuries may be prevented by taking precautionary measures.
“When the temperature rises, it is important to stay well hydrated, rest in a cool or shaded area, and wear a hat and light clothing,” said Dr. Gardner. “Wearing proper sports gear is also recommended when you’re doing physical activity outdoors, such as wearing a helmet while bike riding.”
The injuries Dr. Gardner describes are in addition to the steady stream of stroke and heart attack patients her department sees on an average summer day. McLaren Greater Lansing provides a comprehensive stroke program and is designated as a primary stroke center and Level III trauma center. Its experienced team has access to the latest treatment options, offers 24/7 coverage, and uses telemedicine technology to provide consultative evaluations and recommendations.
If you do need a visit to the emergency room, it’s important to note that patients experiencing certain serious emergencies — such as stroke, heart attack, and trauma patients — take priority. The ER triage process ensures that patients are seen in order of severity.
“Care in an emergency room is prioritized to our patients who are the sickest and in need of immediate treatment,” said Dr. Gardner. “During the triage process, we determine which patients need to be placed in a room first. This is not determined by when they checked in, when they arrived at the hospital, or how long they have been waiting.”
For non-life-threatening conditions, McLaren Greater Lansing’s emergency department also offers online check-in, which allows patients to reserve a spot in line in the emergency room. Visit mclaren.org/lansingER to learn more.
Comments