I have an upcoming speaking event in December that will have me traveling to Nashville, Tenn., as a guest speaker on Healthcare Education and Management at the Association of Career and Technical Education’s Vision 2017 conference.
Of course, I am excited to see sights and sounds of the Music City (and the fact that it is being held at Opryland is a great bonus) but how would I deal with a personal medical
emergency if I were away from my family, friends, and personal physician.
For that matter, do you have an organized plan in case you weren’t able to convey to doctors or nurses your medical history? With all the stresses that sometimes go into a trip, it is a good idea to plan ahead with regards to your health.
One of the easiest things to do is to make a list of your current medications and diagnoses. I have met a great many healthcare providers in my time.
However, I have not found a single one of them that can identify every pill just on sight alone and they certainly cannot diagnose health ailments by looking at a person. Jot it down and keep one copy at home and one copy in your purse or wallet. This can be especially helpful in an emergency so that you do not forget key elements that need to be known by the healthcare team. For example, certain emergency procedures are off-limits if you take certain medications.
Another idea is some type of medical alert jewelry. These can be customized and usually can be purchased at any pharmacy or online. The jewelry gives key medical conditions that the individual might have as well as allergies.
This can be critical information in a time of crisis. For example, a person that has bouts of low blood sugar might have a bracelet or necklace with a star of life on it that informs the reader they are a diabetic.
Of course, EMS crews are trained to check blood sugar in any altered level of consciousness appearance; however, it can be extremely helpful to non-medical bystanders who might not be familiar with the disease. This could be the difference between an ambulance for you instead of the police when you are in a diabetic stupor.
Other things to consider are just good common sense. Make sure that you pack enough of your daily medications to last the length of the trip. If you plan an extended trip, talk to your doctor about refills or, at the very least, have their clinic number handy.
If you are going out of state, check to see which hospitals/pharmacies near your destination are covered by your insurance. In the event of an emergency, it doesn’t matter: you go to the closest appropriate facility.
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986 ensures you cannot be refused emergency care. But, minor injuries that require a prescription might leave you frustrated finding a pharmacy that accepts your health coverage.
I love to travel and I have been fortunate to speak at many different events all across the United States. When I am on the road, I like to plan ahead and think about the little things before they become major. You wouldn’t haphazardly pack a suitcase and head out without first making plans of some sort, would you? Why should our health be any different? Take the little steps to avoid travel troubles before your next trip.
Stay safe out there.
