Thankful for First Responders ...

First Responders: unless you are related to one, do not feature largely in most of our lives, most of the time. But their value and importance is magnified when a need arises. Recently our family had contact with Acute Care Ambulance and the local hospital Emergency Room staff. At the end of a long day we came to realize that these people are simply not recognized for all that they do. Here are a few ideas on how to manage better, as a patient, in a traumatic medical emergency:

Many people
Many times a day
Owe their Life
To a First Responder
... THANK YOU

First Responder information:

In an emergency
Call 9-1-1
Ask for Ambulance - Fire - Police
depending on the type of emergency

When someone you love is ill, 5 minutes can seem like a very long time. In an emergency the 9-1-1 Dispatcher usually stays on the phone line until paramedics / ambulance arrive.

Notes:

When there is an emergency, medical or otherwise, it can be extremely stressful for the person involved. And equally true for those who love them
Acute Care Ambulance Services will respond if your circumstance is potentially life threatening, such as a heart attack or a severe motor vehicle accident
It is very important, that these pre-hospital First Responder caregivers obtain accurate information to be passed onto Emergency Room staff at the hospital
Whatever your age, and health, after 40 years of age, have an annual medical checkup. This may avoid an unexpected medical surprise that requires first responders

To Make Life easier ...

Have a responsible person available to assist the patient and provide information to paramedics
This is especially important if the patient has memory loss or dementia, or is incapacitated
Maintain a list of the patient's current medications (and drug interactions or allergies. etc)
Keep a copy of patients Medical Care Card with the above information
Include recent medical history including names of specialists with contact information
This information saves errors and should include special information, such as "Please do not resuscitate" etc
Be sensible and keep information brief. It helps to be printed on an Index card, placed in a clear sealable plastic bag. The card can be kept on the fridge and, if needed, pinned to the patients clothes. Also keep a copy when you are out (wallet or purse)
Even though circumstances may be frightening try and be as level-headed and calm as you are able and let the first responders do their job

Carry Card with Medication Lists, personal information, etc.

More Notes:

Depending on time of day, sometimes holdups occur for a multitude of reasons
It is not the fault or responsibility of the paramedics or hospital staff that the car park is full or you feel parking costs are outrageously steep
Emergency Room doctors and staff may be called away at any time to attend new major trauma patients, requiring life saving care, which may delay your own results
It is not unusual that hospital ER corridors are crowded with patients in beds awaiting care or to be admitted overnight

Thank You First Responders ...

All the staff we had contact with were calm, kind, compassionate and very professional. There are many other first responders we are grateful for such as : firefighters, municipal and volunteer firefighters, police, air ambulance paramedics and pilots. We are so thankful to have such people when they are needed in our lives. Finally, it's always nice to remember to say:

PLEASE
and
THANK YOU

The next life a first responder saves may be yours,
or the life of someone you love.

~ Take care, Liz

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” – Plato