Saturday, February 7, 2009

I.C.E.


Wait, before you run from the title, as many of you may have had so much ice that you don't even want to think about more, check closely. You'll notice that the title has periods in between the letters....yes, I.C.E. Does "in case of emergency" automatically come to mind? I hope so. Not that we want to linger on anything tragic or even upsetting happening, but when and if it does, we all will be better prepared. Better to prepare and be ready than to find yourself in an emergency situation and be UN-prepared, right? An article in the REAL SIMPLE magazine made me consider my own circumstances. I am loving this magazine, btw! Anyway, there is an article entitled "in case of emergency" and it deals with navigating your way through the ER and how to make your next trip there as painless as possible. Some really good considerations are found in this article. This article is located in the March 2009 issue, and when I checked online to see the form they refer to in this article, it wasn't there. I've contacted the editor and hope to have an answer for us all soon. The first thing to do, if you've not done so already, is to list an I.C.E. contact in your cell phone. Simply add a phone number for your spouse or an emergency contact, and list it as I.C.E./name. Go ahead and do it; I'll wait!

Next, the magazine suggests, along with your insurance card, to have tucked into your wallet, a medical card that provides a brief, thorough account of your medical background. This is where the magazine comes in, because they say they will have a form available online, at realsimple.com/er. (this link doesn't work yet, but since it is the March issue, maybe it is forthcoming.) It is recommended that you keep it behind your driver's license in your wallet because if a patient is unable to speak, paramedics will always look through a wallet. They suggest the following info be included.
-A list of prescription and over the counter medications, including dosages, frequency, and any recent changes in them, plus a list of any herbal supplements or vitamins you are taking.
-Allergies, even to contrast dye or latex
-Any major surgeries you've had
-Doctors' names and phone numbers.
-Contact numbers for you and your health-care proxy or next of kin.

I'm thinking it might be a good idea for a mom of young children to have this info for each child in her wallet in the event that she is injured and cannot provide the info needed. Of course it is info that changes and will need to be kept up to date. Perhaps this is a good procedure to update on New Years Day or on the child's birthday.

Also they recommend making sure you provide a notarized "consent-to-treat" form for any children or elderly parents left in the care of someone else. They say a printable form is available at emergencycareforyou.org. It would need to be notorized, but a good idea to have I.C.E.!

This article also suggests that it could be beneficial to go to the ER by way of ambulance IF there is chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, altered mental status or uncontrolled bleeding. Ambulance workers are able to take advantage of the time en route, and as well, can notify the ER of the situation while they are on the way. For non-threatening injuries (a broken hand, a small laceration, etc.) going by car should be fine. In some cases, arriving by ambulance doesn't equal faster care, suggests ER nurse Connie Meyer.
I'd highly recommend getting the magazine and reading the article found on pages 69-75 to get the full benefit of the information available. There are other great resoures found in this magazine as well.
This is not what the March 09 cover looks like, but I just wanted to give you an example of the magazine, so you'd know what to look for!

18 comments:

Paula said...

I had heard the I.C.E. information before. It is good advice. But I hadn't thought about having a card on hand with all my medical info. Thanks of the great tip!

Tara said...

Thanks so much for sharing that great info. I will be sure and add that to my list of things I really need to do soon. I love that magazine too.

Lois Christensen said...

As if my wallet wasn't heavy enough!! Oh well, I'm heading over to add all my info, just not my weight. They don't need to know that!! But I do the ICE thing as well. You never know and I would hate to be lying somewhere unconscious and the police trying to call my house and the kids wouldn't answer it because they NEVER do...it's never for them! At least they'll be able to get in touch with my hubby!!! Thanks for the helpful information! Have a blessed day!

Nina said...

Susan,
Thanks for the great advice. I'll certainly take heed. BTW, you suggested I use Rub and Buff on my brass candelsticks. I've heard of that before, but where do you purchase it?
Bettye

Nina said...

Oops, the cat is out of the bag. My name is actually Bettye, but my grandson calls me Nina!

Kathy Butryn said...

Great advice. Thanks for sharing. I've been putting off doing this, however, I'm going to pick up that issue of Real Simple this week...and dig into getting started getting all our stuff together!

Have a great weekend!
hugs,
kath

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What an important post. THanks so much!!!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Hey, you! Love your blog, and I'm so glad you liked mine too. :) I've been trying to be consistent with posting during the week--it's been a great writing exercise, and it helps me to feel like I've got something to say, even if no one (but you and my sister) read it). ;) I'm signing up to be your follower now! :)

Ashley said...

Those are great tips! I am off to do them now. Thanks for visiting my new blog!

Rebecca said...

That is great info. Thanks for sharing it. I love Real Simple mag too, but I haven't yet seen the March issue. Thanks for the good tips!

Becky K. said...

Excellent tips!

I would love to have your bread recipe. I have received one already from someone...but I haven't tried it yet. It is a bit scary since I have not made bread from anything other than frozen bread dough before. If yours is easy, it sounds good to me. I love that my 13 year old daughter will be learning to make her own bread at the same time that I do.

Thanks!
beckypfa (@) yahoo.com

Teresa said...

Great advise- My husband is ICE on my phone.
Thanks for stopping by my blog-
Have a wonderful day.
Teresa

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

Great idea, thanks for sharing!
~Michelle

Tara said...

You asked me if I painted the picture that I posted on my blog yesterday...yes, I did. When you have a minute look back at the comment from Phyllis on that post. She tells the story behind it. Made me cry. :-l

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have done the ICE thing on my cell phone...I need to do the medical list thingy....thanks for the reminder!

Lamp Tramp said...

So true, that I.C.E. is so vital and ya never know when you might need it. I love Real Simple, also!

Lynda said...

When I first listed I.C.E.(my home number) in my cellphone, my son had never heard of it. His comment was, "Mom, I just thought you put I.C.E. because you were cool!" lol!! Funny guy!

Anonymous said...

This is a fabulous tip.Thank you...ann