Going to the emergency room with your child is no fun, and it's often quite chaotic and stressful; however, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to decrease frustration levels and possibly shorten your wait time. The following tips will help you better prepare for and survive an emergency room visit.
Instructions
1. Dress appropriately for the occasion. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Emergency room visits can be quite long, and usually aren't the most comfortable.
2. Be patient. There will probably be many other patients waiting to be seen at the same time you are. Constantly going up to the check-in window and asking "how much longer" will probably not get you in any sooner. It's best to bring an MP3 player or iPod, a hand-held game device or a book to keep busy while you're in the waiting area.
3. Have your information ready when you are called. Promptly fill out any forms that you are given upon check-in. Be ready to explain all of your child's symptoms and past medical history.
4. Have your current insurance card and proper identification ready. The hospital staff will need to know what insurance coverage you have, so they know who to send the bill to. Also, if you have a card that has an expired date on it that was renewed over the phone, remember to tell the insurance person what month you renewed it.
5. Know the current medications and dosages that your child is taking. This can make a big difference as to how your child is medically cared for. If you can't remember all of the medications, write them down on a piece of paper and bring it with you.
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