Hospital Emergency Go Bag

Image from Flickr

Because we grew up on a hurricane-prone coast, all of my family grew up with the concept of boxes of emergency supplies and “go bags” before they had such a name. We’re also familiar with packing a bag to go into a hospital for surgery or to give birth to a baby.

I hadn’t thought about how many types of go bags and emergency boxes there can be until yesterday.

A chronically ill person had to go to the emergency room recently. On top of having to wait hours upon hours in overcrowded conditions, this person’s illness makes the environment there a nightmare. She’s light sensitive, easily overwhelmed by too much noise, unable to sit up for more than short periods, and struggles with human interaction when there is pressure to do it quickly.

After everything she went through, she dreads going back the next time a flare-up makes her need emergency attention again. She asked for suggestions about what to put in a go bag so she will be better prepared next time.

With many Accident and Emergency departments overwhelmed in the UK and reportedly in some other countries too, she has a good idea. Going to a hospital emergency department can be a long ordeal when they’ve got a full waiting room. If we have a bag ready to grab on the way out the door with the right stuff inside, it can make our wait less grueling.

Here are suggestions the patient got from the community of people with similar health conditions:

• One-page brief of medical history, and current medications/supplements (a few copies so each health care worker who needs one can have one). Jot current symptoms including severity on each page while in the waiting room.

• Grab your medications on the way out the door and stuff them in the bag.

• Your name in large block letters on paper or card and a large safety pin to attach it to yourself. (This is to attempt to avoid being skipped entirely if you don’t hear your name called.)

• At least two N95/FFP2 or better respirators (face masks). A model without metal in it is ideal in case you get a MRI scan, but if such a special model isn’t available, pack what you have. You may want to consider modifying one mask with a SipMask valve.

• Any of the nasal sprays that help to reduce viral load if exposed to COVID (e.g. in case the face mask leaks or has to be removed temporarily during medical examination)

• Hand sanitizer and/or hand sanitizing wipes.

• A bottle of water and/or electrolyte drink. Also pack a straw if you will use a SipMask valve in your respirator.

• Snacks, especially if you have a disorder that requires you to eat regularly.

• Yoga mat and small pillow in case you may have to lie down on the floor.

• Neck support or neck pillow if you may have to sit up longer than you can comfortably hold your head up.

• Sunglasses and/or eye mask if you are light sensitive.

• Noise cancelling earphones, ear defenders or earplugs if you are easily overwhelmed by chaotic noise.

• If there is an emblem commonly recognized for your chronic illness or disability, pack a lanyard or necklace or whatever with the emblem on it.

• Change of underwear.

• Clothing layers. Hospital spaces range from overheated to chilly, so layers allow you to adapt. Aim for comfortable and versatile.

• Notepad and a couple of pens to take notes when at last you get some attention from the staff.

• A book to help you pass the time.

• Lip balm.

• Moisturizer.

• Small personal air filter such as the SmartAir QT3. (We have one. It has a battery that lasts 3-4 hours if it can’t be plugged in. A handheld USB power bank can extend its running time.)

Not all of these suggestions will be pertinent for everyone. But I like the idea of having a go bag ready in case, heaven forbid, we ever need to go to the nearest hospital emergency department… and some of the suggestions that turned up are things I would have overlooked.