Learn How To Prepare For A Medical Emergency

Photo Credit: kp.org

Sometimes the worst happens

As parents we try our best to plan and prepare for everything family related, from financial planning, elaborate birthday parties and (the current thorn in my side): detailed school projects. However, how many of us are prepared for an immediate medical emergency? I know I certainly wasn’t. Just about a year and a half ago my youngest son who was only 3 years old at the time, took a hard tumble off of the living room couch and landed on top of his metal scooter. The fall combined with the hard metal scooter sliced his head clean open. In the moment of shock he fell scarily silent and still as dark, thick blood trickled down his face. It was scary and traumatizing and we were not prepared for a medical emergency. Ever since that moment I vowed to be as prepared as possible for medial emergencies. We are Kaiser Permanente ambassadors, all opinions are our own.

Preparing for a medical emergency is surprisingly easier than it sounds. With a few simple key tips we can be prepared as possible for whatever life throws our way. 

Fuel Up

By keeping a full tank of gas, or at least a 1/2 tank of gas in your car at all times you’ll be ready to go without running short. Actually this is a good tip for all types of emergencies. 

Teach The Important Numbers

I didn’t realize how important it was at the time until now. When my daughter was in transitional Kindergarten part of her required homework was to learn her birth date, address and phone number. These important numbers are vital information in case of a medical emergency when parents are not present. If your children are too young to remember the important numbers, consider purchasing a kids id bracelet. 

Keep Your School Emergency Card Up To Date

Do you remember all those pesky forms you have to fill out at the beginning of each school year? One of those pesky forms is your childs emergency card that is kept on file in the school’s office. Make sure the information is kept up to date on that card. Such as phone numbers, emergency contacts, medical information and addresses. That way the school will know who to call when something bad happens. 

Carry health information at all times

If you or a loved one takes daily medications, keep a list in your wallet. Even easier: store that information on your phone under “notes”. Keep as much information with you as possible, such as medical doses and frequencies. If one of your children requires daily medications, consider writing a note and keeping it in their backpacks as well as in file in the school’s office. 

Include information about health details such as:

• Medication allergies
• Blood Type
• Special Health Care Needs (“afraid of needles”, “hard of hearing”)
• Major Surgeries
• History of Major Medical Events 

Emergency Contacts

In case of a medical emergency  Add your emergency contacts’ information such as their home, work and cell numbers into your own cellphone. Identify their information as something easily identifiable such as “EMERGENCY” or even “ICE” – acronym for In Case of Emergency. If you have a phone that requires a password to get to your contact list, consider putting emergency information on the lock screen itself. 

Know Your Route

Knowing the best routes for the best times of day to your nearest medical facility will help when there is a medical emergency. For example, I know there are three short routes to our nearest Kaiser Permanente medical facility and two of them get heavily congested with cars during weekday traffic commutes. Therefore, if there was ever a medical emergency I have it loosely planned out in my head to get there quickly while avoiding traffic. 

Find Your Local Kaiser Permanente Medical Facility

Keep Calm

The best advice I can provide for any parent under a medical emergency is to remain calm. We all know that we are guides and models for our children and if they see us panic it will make the situation much worse than it needs to be. 

Contact a Kaiser Permanente Advice Nurse 

The doctors and medial staff at Kaiser Permanente Orange County are there for you. Whenever you need them for any medical emergency big or small. For advice call the advice nurse and a helpful nurse will answer your questions and guide you to the next steps required. 

Advice Nurse
Phone: (888) 988-2800
Hourse: 7am to 7pm, every day

No appointment needed

Emergency care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at: