In case of emergency

Laws have been enacted to ensure that you have the right to choose where you receive healthcare and treatment. If you’re rushed to the hospital for emergency care or if your doctor recommends that you have a procedure at a certain hospital, the final decision about where you’re treated actually remains with you. This law has been in effect for years and is designed to protect patients who don’t want to be transferred to hospitals far away from their homes or to cities where hospital infection rates may be higher. Legislation allows patients to be seen by doctors they trust and may have known for years.

Know your rights

Why do doctors and hospitals sometimes send patients to hospitals other than those the patient is familiar with? The reasons may include financial relationships between doctors and hospitals—which is why Deborah urges patients to know their rights. If you’re having a heart, lung or vascular problem and you require emergency treatment, exercise your right to request that you’re taken to Deborah. If you’re taken elsewhere, it’s perfectly acceptable to tell the doctor and hospital staff that you want to be transferred. In addition, if your doctor wants you to go out of state for care, ask him or her why it’s necessary when you have a specialty hospital so close to home.

Take advantage of the law and your right to make your own healthcare decisions. Speak your mind! Ask to be taken to Deborah Heart and Lung Center—where care exceeds state and federal performance standards and leading-edge treatment is provided by an award-winning staff.

Be prepared for the unexpected

Did you know that you can prepare for an emergency? Here are a few steps to help you if you should suddenly require emergency treatment:

• Keep a list of your medications with doses and frequencies in your wallet.
• Keep a list or know the details of any recent illnesses and any allergies you have.
• Carry or wear a medical emergency identification tag, bracelet or card, which lets people know if you’re on a special medicine or have special health conditions.
• Bring all identification with you: your insurance card, driver’s license and family doctor’s name and phone number.
• Leave all valuables at home.