What should we take with us if we have to go to Emergency Room?

All the cards copies are fine. A medication list is handy. A small pillow a blanket and sterile wipes, snacks and something to drink. It's good to wear masks. The wait can be long. I hope you don't have to go.

How timely. After a seven hour ER stint a week and a half ago, and another seven or more trips (most resulting in hospitalization) in the last fourteen months with Dad, I am finally constructing a “go” bag for next time!

I guess I would ask if you live close to the hospital or not. We do, so I find I can easily run home and get everything he will need if admitted. If you are far away, or if that would be too challenging, then your list may expand.

Certainly the paperwork you mentioned. A med list is important. If the person has a long list of health issues and has not stayed at that hospital before, a list of their health issues can help. My dad has some specialized needs for daily care, so definitely a supply for seeing to those needs. Water. Jackets (it’s always cold and sometimes blankets are not supplied until much later). If your person has advanced directives and hasn’t provided them to that hospital before, doesn’t hurt to have them along or at least accessible in some way.

If I am confident he will be admitted (he has some recurring issues that will land him there), I pack one of those small cloth grocery carriers with zip locks of the disposable underwear he likes (he doesn’t love the hospital ones), charging cords for his cell phone and kindle and those electronics, a clean denture cup (the ones provided at our hospitals are too small) with cleaning tablets, his charging container for his hearing aids, a box of nice Kleenex (he always has sinus issues and the hospital tissues are tiny and wimpy. He likes handkerchiefs but they just get lost at the hospital), hand sanitizer (he doesn’t like the hospital kind cause it leaves a slick feeling on your hands). A disposable razor and sample size shaving cream and a comb.

In my bag I try to have masks, hand sanitizer, snacks, the lists.

Hope you do not have to go!

Take photos of all your ID, insurance cards, medications, etc. with your phone. Make a list of your allergies, doctors, health issues and emergency contacts on your phone or write a list and take a photo. Bring your phone (and a charger if you have time to grab it). In an emergency you have everything you need on your phone. I also wear a medal around my neck with my name, my allergies, critical meds ( I don't include my cholesterol or triglyceride meds) and my wife's first name and phone number. I've recently been diagnosed with PMR and then SMM so that information is only on my phone. I'm sure someone else can add to this.

I have had to go to ER so many times.. I made a 1/2 inch binder (just the white kind you can get at Walmart) with my name , contacts, religious preferences, copies of insurance cards, list of my doctors.. (I'm 72 and have quite a few specialists) . medications I take, medications I'm allergic to and medical conditions they should know about..in case I am unable to speak..I have hair brush toothpaste phone charger etc. in my purse at all times..and my "boyfriend keeps a jacket for each of us in the car..it's an hour each way for us..so I can hand them the book..in the ambulance or at the ER and they can learn quite alot about me..alos keep snacks in car for him.. if I'm going to travel I also take my "medical records to go" binder..if in a car accident out of town , they will know alot about how to treat me.. praying you don't have to go!!

In addition to what people here have said so far, bring a book or iPad/Kindle since the wait is often very long.

I have a large shoulder bag that stays on the coat rack by the front door. It contains copies of medical records, doctor business cards, etc. it goes with me to all medical visits and will be handy to grab in an emergency.

In Rochester, the Mayo Clinic lend the hospitals are together. So all my medical information is already there
If you live outside of the area and you’re going to a new hospital,
Yes, you need identification your insurance card any documentation you may have from your previous doctor
Bring some cash to pay for parking and if someone is with you and if it’s a long wait, they could go get you something to eat
Bring a Sudoku book, Or any other kind of book or puzzle that you like make sure you bring two or three pencils and maybe a sharpener.
Water
And snack you could have
A small blanket would be good as well
Medication’s that you will be needing within the next 10 hours
I hope this don’t scare you but be prepared

A Bible and clean underwear!

Pillow