Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association, Hope Starts Here
Hints to Make Hospital Visits Easier
Be Prepared
- 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)
- Bring a sign to put 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.
- Don't forget to take things to make your stay as a parent, spouse or patient support person easier, such as:
- 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) - 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.
The Needs of the Caregiver
Other Tips
© Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Association (CVSA) • 2819 West Highland Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53208 Tel: 414-342-7880 Fax: 414-342-8980 cvsa@cvsaonline.org