Advance Planning Helpful During Emergencies
By Lynne Bauer, RN, Director of Health Services, School District of Superior
Student medical records are very important
If you child is ever ill or injured and requires emergency care, doctors, nurses, and emergency personnel will have many questions about his/her medical history. And even if you know all the answers in a calm moment, the most organized parent might not be able to remember a child’s health history in a stressful situation.
That’s why it is important to keep a comprehensive record of your child’s health information nearby. In many cases, this information can help a medical professional make quicker diagnoses and decisions during an emergency, when each second counts!!
Read the categories below to learn more, and create a complete health record for your child. Keep one copy of the record at home and one in your purse or wallet. You should also supply your child’s daycare center and babysitters with this list, along with the name and number of your child’s doctor. And remember when your child enters school, each year you should be providing the schools health office with the most current, up-to-date information regarding the medical history of your child.
Allergies
Record on your list any known allergies your child has to medications, both prescription and non-prescription, allergies to insect stings and bites should be listed, and food allergies.
Medications
Certain medications cannot be taken together so emergency staff need to know all medications (prescription and non-prescription) your child currently takes before they can administer any drug. In addition, you need to know the doses, the dosing schedules, and when the medications were taken last.
Pre-existing Illness or Conditions
Pre-existing illnesses or conditions can have a great impact on the kinds of tests or treatment administered during an emergency. If your child has any health problem (diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, etc.) emergency medical personnel must know. For additional protection, children with chronic conditions should wear an identifying tag on a bracelet or necklace.
Hospitalizations and Operations
List the dates your child has been hospitalized and the types of operations he/she has undergone. This information may help during the course of treatment.
Immunizations
Keeping an updated record of all your child’s immunizations is important. If you need help remembering or compiling all the information, your school nurse or doctor’s office nurse can assist you locating all the dates.
Height and Weight
When calculating medication doses, it can be helpful for doctors to know the approximate height and weight of the child.
