Posted by Dave Emond (152.163.213.193) on August 17, 2001 at 03:15:36:
Hi Gang,
Starting to see a lot more bad experiences in dealing with emergency rooms. First I have a suggestion that I'll repeat for newcomers to the board, then tell you about a form we're putting together from OUCH to take with you on ER vists.
Suggestion:
Make a information sheet on yourself and carry it with you at all times. Give a copy of this sheet to everyone who might possibly be the one taking you to the ER. This info sheet should include everything you might need to fill out an ER form:
1. Your name, address, phone number.
2. Contacts in case of emergency: names, phone #'s
3. Employer name, address, phone
4. Insurance company name, ID #, etc.
5. PCP/doctor: name, address, phone #.
6. All medical conditions
7. Medicines you are on for conditions.
8. Best abortive medication for CH attack.
9. Allergies to any medications
10. Anything else you can fit on there : )
With this information on your person, or with whoever takes you to the ER, will make it possible for your supporter or even the ER nurse to fill out the necessary info on the sign-in forms.
What OUCH is doing to help:
We just finished an employee to employer form to help victims and their employers manage and communicate. This is up before the OUCH BoD for approval, if passed it will be set up for you to print out.
With that done, we are now working on a form for victims to take to the ER. We expect this form will get you immediate attention and the correct care for every individual. Most of this work is already done and should be submitted to the BoD very soon.
Once done with that we will continue to provide forms and information on many more areas of concern.
In the meantime, make that medical info sheet on yourself, I'd suggest you keep it, as our form cannot provide your personal information.
New members, OUCH is here to serve you in the best possible ways. Please click on the button at the left of this board and visit the site. Please consider joining OUCH as a member, and if possible, volunteer to help on a committee. It's up to us, as victims, to push Cluster Headache awareness and fight for our rights, for research, for teaching and learning and many more aspects that keep the medical and commercial world ignorant of our plight. Thanks.
Pain Free Days And Nights to all!
Dave