Wednesday 17 December 2014

8 tips to deal with Medical Emergencies

You never know when a medical emergency is going to strike. That’s why it’s vital to have constant vigilance and always be prepared. Here are some things you have to keep handy at all times:

1.Keep a fully equipped first-aid box

Every home or office should always have one. A basic first-aid box should contain must contain an antiseptic solution, burnol, sterile cotton, gauze, adhesive medicated plasters, roller bandage, scissors and some basic pain killers. It’s important that none of these items are past their expiry date. These items should help you deal with minor wounds, burns, cuts, etc.

2.Always have your personal details on you

Everyone should always have a card on their person which contains the following details – contact number, address, whom to contact in case of an emergency, the list of medicines they’re taking (if any), health conditions (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, history of allergies, blood group and treating doctor’s contact details. All this will help avoid a lot of confusion and help the treatment process better.

3.Store important numbers

It’s always best to have a list of important numbers on your phone. These include numbers of nearby hospitals, numbers of ambulance services, two of your neighbours’ numbers, numbers of friends or relatives who stay nearby and your doctor’s number. Write down all these numbers in a small diary and let everyone in the family know about these numbers, so that they’re well-prepared in case of an emergency.)

4.Keep you medical records properly

It’s very important to never discard any medical records or prescriptions. Always keep a dedicated file of all medical records. This should include everything that’s ever happened to you. You should also keep your CT scans, MRI and X-ray films safely. Nowadays, you can even use websites to store your medical records online.

5.Invest in medical insurance

It’s hard to convince people to invest in medical insurance when you’re young but with rising healthcare costs, you’d do well to invest in it. There are number of options available and it’s best to ask your agent for the options. Also don’t just buy the insurance, keep yourself completely educated about the terms and conditions. If you have a TPA card, make sure you always carry it in your wallet.

6.Get some basic training

It’s a good idea to undergo some basic life support techniques, many of which are conducted every day at various hospitals. All you have do is approach them for guidance. The most basic course available is of course CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) which can be a real lifesaver when faced with an unresponsive person who has stopped breathing or whose heart may have stopped due to various circumstances like heart attack, drowning, etc. On-site CPR, has saved many a lives)
Till medical help arrives, on-site CPR has saved many lives the world over.

7.Know what to do in the emergency room

If you’re ever in the emergency room, make yourself useful. Remain, calm and composed at all times. The doctor will ask you about the patient’s medical history and details about the present even which you should try to answer as succinctly as possible. An accurate description will go a long way in helping both the physician and the patient.

8.Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet

Always keep basic medications in your cabinet and make sure you’ve enough medicines to last you a week. This can be really useful when it comes to unforeseen circumstances like the medicines getting out of stock at your pharmacy or you have to suddenly go out of station.

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