Supported by Navigating the emergency department

PURPOSE Patients with bleeding disorders often have to visit the emergency department. This module will help you prepare for these visits by planning ahead and by being informed about how emergency departments function.

1.WHEN TO GO to the emergency department 2.PREPARE in advance 3.WHO ’ S WHO at the emergency department 4.AFTER A VISIT to the emergency department NAVIGATING THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

WHEN TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WHEN TO GO GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD :  might have a head, neck or abdominal bleed (even without prior injury);  feels a lack of sensation in an arm or leg  has had an accident with trauma;  is experiencing uncontrollable vaginal bleeding;  experiences an uncontrollable nose bleed (more than 30 minutes);  passes blood in the stool or vomits blood;  has any kind of unusual bleeding, such as in the groin;  is not on home infusion and you suspect a bleed;  is on home infusion but you can’t access a vein.

 a medical identification tag such as MedicAlert ® PREPARE IN ADVANCE OBTAIN AND WEAR … BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE … COMPLETE AND CARRY …  your FactorFirst or TreatFirst treatment card SET UP …  an emergency contingency plan if necessary such as an emergency babysitting plan

 a personal emergency plan PREPARE IN ADVANCE DEVELOP … BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE … precise information about patient  details about bleeding disorder and treatment product used  emergency contact numbers

PREPARE IN ADVANCE BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE … OBTAIN …  a copy of your CHARMS individual treatment protocol form which contains all the information regarding the management of your bleeding disorder. AND … BE KNOWLEDGEABLE ! Take control of your bleeding disorder. Know more about your personal care than anyone.

 Visit your local emergency department and bring: − your FactorFirst or TreatFirst treatment card − a copy of the instructional manual for health care providers: Emergency Care for Patients with Hemophilia or Emergency Care for Patients with von Willebrand Disease − your treatment product including the package insert  Ask questions about how the emergency department works  Find out if your clotting factor concentrate or your medication (desmopressin or Cyklokapron ® ) is stocked in the blood bank or in the hospital pharmacy. PREPARE IN ADVANCE PRIOR TO AN EMERGENCY BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE …

PREPARE IN ADVANCE EMERGENCY PACK BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE …  A copy of your personal emergency plan  An empty Ziploc ® bag for your treatment product. Just before leaving the house, pop in the product along with a flexible ice pack.  Another Ziploc bag with supplies for infusion (tourniquet, gloves, alcohol wipes, syringe, butterfly needle, saline, Emla cream, gauze dressings, adhesive tape & bandages, and, if your child has a port, port needles and betadine and haparin)  An entertainment pouch ( books, video games, crayons )  A utility pouch ( money, pen, notebook )  A first-aid pouch ( tissues, acetaminophen, thermometer, adhesive bandages, instant cold pack, alcohol swabs, anti- bacterial wet wipes or hand washing lotion)  A clean towel my emergency pack

PREPARE IN ADVANCE BEFORE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BENEFITS … PREPARE IN ADVANCE  Follow your personal emergency plan.  Contact HTC nurse coordinator/doctor – write down name of person you spoke to and instructions given. Ask them to phone ahead to the emergency department.  Infuse prior to going to the emergency department and bring along empty factor vials and boxes.  Bring along your emergency pack.

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RECEPTIONIST / REGISTRATION CLERK BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO …  In some hospitals, this is the first person you will meet.  If you or someone else called ahead, let him/her know.  Have personal information ready (health or hospital card, family physician, etc.).  Show your FactorFirst or TreatFirst card.

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TRIAGE NURSE BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO …  Sometimes the first person you will meet.  Show your FactorFirst or TreatFirst card.  Initial assessment will be done.  State concerns clearly.  Make sure bleeding disorder clearly written on triage form.  He/she will decide the level of triage. Give the triage nurse all the information with regard to your bleeding disorder such as: type of bleeding disorder severity type of bleed the treatment product you use and the current dosage the presence of an inhibitor or a port-a-cath other medication other complications

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TRIAGE OF BLEEDING DISORDERS BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO … The evaluation of cases according to urgency, from most urgent to least urgent.  There are five levels of triage Level IResuscitative Level IIEmergent»major or moderate bleeds Level IIIUrgent»mild or moderate bleeds Level IVLess Urgent Level VNon Urgent As seen above, the Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) has classified triage of bleeding disorders as LEVEL II and LEVEL III depending on the severity of the bleeds.

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT TRIAGE OF BLEEDING DISORDERS BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO …  If you are not seen within 30 minutes, go back to the triage nurse to inquire on your situation.  If symptoms get worse and you are still not seen, consider calling the HTC hematologist from the waiting room phone.

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT NURSE BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO …  Show your FactorFirst or TreatFirst card.  Make sure the nurse knows what bleeding disorder you have, the type of bleed, the treatment product you use and the existence of an inhibitor if necessary.  State concerns such as prompt infusion, preferred needle size, easiest vein to access, etc.  Know how to calculate your factor dosage.  Know how to prepare factor (offer to do it).  Inform the nurse that there is “no overdose”; the entire vial should be infused.

WHO ’ S WHO AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DOCTOR BENEFITS … WHO ’ S WHO  Show your FactorFirst or TreatFirst card.  Make sure the doctor knows what bleeding disorder you have, the type of bleed, the treatment product you use and the existence of an inhibitor if necessary.  If HTC nurse or hematologist called ahead, let doctor know.  Make sure you understand the treatment ordered.  If you feel you are not getting the proper care, phone your HTC.  It is your right to question/refuse treatment.

THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BENEFITS … SUCCESS TIPS FOR SUCCEEDING AT THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT  Stay calm  Listen  Speak up! Be assertive!  Be knowledgeable about your bleeding disorder  Repeat yourself, if necessary  Be polite and courteous  Focus on the problem, not the people  Use “I-statement” not “you-statements”  Be prepared for difficult situations  Phone your HTC again, if necessary  Know your rights as a patient! helpful tips EMERGENCY DEPARTEMENT

AFTER A VISIT TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT BENEFITS … AFTER A VISIT  Call your HTC to let them know of the details of your visit and follow-up instructions AFTER A VISIT TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT REMEMBER !  Prepare in advance.  Stay calm.  Be assertive.  Use positive, proactive ways of communicating.  Be knowledgeable.  ƒShow your FactorFirst or TreatFirst treatment card.  ƒCall your treatment centre for assistance if necessary.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The CHS would like to acknowledge those people who contributed to the development of Navigating the emergency department. D ORINE B ELLIVEAU, RN Moncton Children’s Hospital, Moncton, NB C LARE C ECCHINI National Program Manager, Canadian Hemophilia Society (retired) W ADE K EAN, MD Boudreau-Ouest, NB D AVID P AGE National Executive Director, Canadian Hemophilia Society S HERRY P URCELL, RN Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON

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