Hints to Make Hospital Visits Easier

Be Prepared

The Needs of the Caregiver

• Take along a health care folder containing the following:

-Medical History

-List of Current Medicines & Dosage Amounts

-Episode Diary/Journal

-Copies of Medical Articles About CVS

-Copies of Articles From Code "V" - CVSA's newsletter

• Use an insulated lunch bag to hold all of medications and keep it with you at all times. Within the bag you should keep an information list with:

-Insurance Information

-Family Names and Numbers

-Doctor/Clinic Names and Numbers

-All medications (how much and when)

• Put a sign on the hospital door do not disturb, aborting an episode.

-Even vitals signs are handled differently. Many times they [hospital staff] batch their work. For example new IV bag with vitals at the same time done without a light on and without waking the patient.

• Put a chair in the hallway to catch a breather.

• Bring comfort items for the patient such as a magazine for an adult or some quiet playthings for children.

• Some meal bars
• Cell phone or quarters for the pay phone
• Extra clothes, underwear
• Magazines or a book to read (take a book light so you can keep the room lights low)

Other Tips

• Attach a large luggage tag to the car seat, with all medical information: Emergency contacts, physician's names & phone numbers, all the meds, etc.
• Keep a list with all medical information taped to the back of your child's carseat
• Keep a bag packed at all times with everything you'll need for 24 hours.

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