What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist

What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist

Why Being Prepared for the ER Matters

A trip to the emergency room is often unexpected and stressful. I feel that – I'm an ER physician and it’s stressful even when I plan to go to work in the ER. For patients and their loved ones in a moment of crisis, having the right preparation can make a significant difference in their experience. Having the right information and a pre-packed emergency kit can make a stressful situation more manageable. 

The Hidden Costs of Being Unprepared

Many patients arrive at the ER without essential information. Unfortunately, the color, size, and shape of a medication are no substitute for its name, dose, and frequency of the medication you take. Without the pertinent information, there is a chance it can lead to delayed treatment, unnecessary tests, and increased anxiety during an already stressful time. Even worse, a lack of preparation can lead to medical errors or incomplete care, particularly for individuals with complex medical conditions. 

The good news? Preparation can help prevent these issues and enable you to manage your ER visit more effectively.

The ER Doctor’s Essential Checklist: What to Bring for a Smooth Visit

• A Government Issued ID
  This is to get you properly registered so the medical team can access your medical record. Here's info on other forms of identification.
• Health insurance card and information
  This is to have your visit covered if that is part of your plan
• A list of current medications, including dosages, frequency, and when they were last taken
  The medication list in your record may not be up to date and the nurse and/or pharmacist will want to know your most accurate list
• A summary of medical conditions, allergies, and past surgeries
  This is particularly important if you are at an ER with a different electronic medical charting system than your primary care team
• A copy of recent test results
  This helps your providers compare your current results with prior results, a very important part of your evaluation
• Any advance directives, such as a healthcare proxy or living will
  Make sure that the ER has this on record in the event it is needed at this visit or in the future
• Contact information for your primary care physician and specialists
  There are situations when the ER medical team may need to reach out to your primary care or specialist providers
• A phone charger or extra battery pack
  You may have access to an outlet but the cord may not reach your bed and a battery pack would be particularly helpful
• A notepad and pen to take notes during discussions with doctors
• Glasses, hearing aids, or other essential medical devices
  It’s very frustrating for a patient when they’ve forgotten their hearing aids or glasses and can’t hear or see their care team. On occasion these are left in the ER, so label anything you are not wearing or any cases you have with your name and birthdate
• Snacks and water (if permitted)
  Before you eat or drink, be sure to ask your provider. Some tests require you not to have eaten prior to the exam and if you may potentially need surgery, it could delay your care if you eat in the ER.
• A small bag with personal items if an overnight stay is possible
  The hospital can typically provide some items but consider bringing your toothbrush, toothpaste, contact cases, contact solution, chapstick, and other small items.
• Activities to pass the time
  Sometimes your waiting room or ER room stay can stretch into hours or even days due to system backlogs, volume, and acuity of other patients.

What to Do After Your ER Visit

Once your ER visit is over, being an active participant in your healthcare isn’t. Review the plan of care with the nurse who will be discharging you, and if you have any questions, please ask them. You need to take the next steps for your ongoing health and recovery:

• Review and update your medical records to reflect the visit and any new results or diagnoses.
• Follow up with your primary care provider or specialists as instructed by your ER team.
• Monitor for any changes in your condition or other worries or concerns and return to the ER or report them to your doctor or on-call nurse triage team.

Take Control of Your Emergency Healthcare Experience

Being prepared for an emergency room visit is an essential part of taking control of your healthcare. Things happen unexpectedly and being prepared in advance can make the already stressful situation more tolerable. By having the right documents and your to-go bag essentials ready, you reduce your stress, improve communication, and help your healthcare team provide the best possible care. My clients and I create their VitalFile that has all of their necessary documents in one place, updated and ready to go. Ask your doctor to help you put together your Vital File each time you visit or if there is a change in your condition.

Need Help Navigating the Healthcare System?

As both an Emergency Physician and Independent Patient Advocate, I offer experience and expertise in helping you understand your health concerns and make informed decisions. Together we can make sure you’re ready for emergencies and receiving the care you desire. 

Note: Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health management approach.