St. Andrews Subdivision

Planning for Emergency Hospital Care

Tips

In the May/June 2004 edition of the AARP Magazine Ted Spiker, a journalism professor at the University of Florida and a contributing editor to Men's Health, gave tips for obtaining the best treatment possible in record time.

First, he recommends going to hospital that has a walk-in clinic for the flu, stitch, and scrapes patients. This will help leave the ER free for emergencies. Ocean Springs Hospital has a walk-in clinic, but Singing River in Pascagoula does not.

Second, arrival by ambulance will usually bypass everyone in the waiting room and get you some treatment enroute.  What do you do until the ambulance arrives:  http://www.acadian.com/whattodountiltheambulancearrives.pdf.    What should you  expect from Acadian Ambulance Service: http://www.acadianambulance.com/services-emergencymedicaltransportation.html.

Third, don't be shy about requesting an ambulance if you are experiencing stroke or heart attack symptoms.

Fourth, phone your doctor on the way to ER so your background can be phoned into the ER and possibly show up to ensure you get necessary attention.

Fifth, have your insurance company notified.

Sixth, plan to give the triage nurse an 8-second explanation of your medical history before giving symptoms.

Seventh, mind your manners.

Eight, name dropping hospital board members, hospital staff you know, and anybody else of importance to the hospital may result in improved care. The trustees for the Singing River Hospital System Board of Trustees are Paul J. Harris, M.D. (818-1111); Steve Demetropoulos, M. D. (809-5000); Walter H. Stuart, III (Ocean Springs 872-1226 term expires 1/1/08); Michael J. Heidelberg (Pascagoula h769-7174/w762-9363 term expired 7/01/03); Allen L. Cronier (Moss Point H475-4602/935-5314 term expires 1/1/09); Edward D. Norris (Ocean Springs H875-6820/w875-3442 term expires 7/1/04); Billy E. Knight (Moss Point h475-0002/w947-8219 Moss Point term expires 1/1/05); Michael D. Tolleson (Pascagoula h762-2609/w935-3953 term expires 1/1/06);Tommy L. Leonard (Biloxi h392-5943/w935-3953 term expires 1/1/07).

Ninth, be willing to admit pain and ask for medications to relieve pain while you wait for treatment.

Tenth, do your best to take someone into the treatment area with you to provide assistance that hospital staff does not have time to do. Also, the indispensable assistant can give information to waiting loved ones that the new privacy laws make the hospital staff reluctant to give. A health care directive can help. See the link below to Miss. Health Department guide and form on Advance Directives.

Eleventh, laminate and carry in your wallet or purse a copy of your most recent EKG, your list of medications, drug allergies, serious medical problems, and surgeries. Your old EKG can help doctors decide what's new on their EKG.

Twelvth, consider having an advance healthcare directive in the care of your family doctor and a trusted family member. It can designate some as your healthcare decision maker. See the link below to Miss. Health Depart. Adv. Healthcare Directive (guide & form).

Thirteenth, when you leave ask for a copy of your lab report, EKG tracings, and x-ray results to take to your treating physician for a follow-up appointment. Taking them with you can save time for the appointment and give you new material to replace your laminated EKG.

Fourteenth, look and act important and you may be treated like somebody important.

Ambulance Response Times

By contract the local ambulance company has 20 something minutes to respond to an emergency in St. Andrews. So be sure to tell the emergency operator to also call the fire department to respond with its first responders. Oftentimes, the FVD gets there long before the ambulance.

Links

Summaries of Local Hospital Mgt. Inspections by JCAHO
Medicare Stats on Patient Care
Singing River Hospital System Board of Trustees
Singing River Hospital System
Miss Uniform Health Care Decisions Act Section 41-41-201 et seq
Miss. Health Depart. Adv. Healthcare Directive (guide & form)
Jackson County Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board