This all fits in a one gallon Ziploc baggie (except for laptop and fleece)
19 hour Emergency Room and Hospital Survival Kit
· Stocking cap (to shut out light and things you don’t want to see)
· Ear Plugs (to shut out things you don’t want to hear)
· Zip-able fleece outer wear (Wear. To control Temperature)
· Cell phone/Smart phone/I-pad/Laptop(Obvious reasons plus recreation/distraction for self and kid(s). Typically something you already carry)
· Way to charge cell phone etc. (It will see much use and you will be making many calls. The phone will gobble up charge hunting for signal if signal is weak.)
· Card with lists of contact numbers (To save digging them out of cell phone. You will be asked for this information several times.)
· Lists with kid’s meds or those in family with chronic illness (Names, dosages, frequency of taking. You will be asked at least twice a shift for this information and it is easy to screw up)
· 24 hour supply of your meds (so you don’t get goofy)
· Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol (Whatever works for you. ER furniture designed to torture and maim the people who sit on it.)
· Tooth brush (obvious)
· Change for vending machines
· Clean pair of socks (Emotional pick-me-up)
· Empty Ziploc bag to stow dirty socks. (The ER staff will appreciate it)
Note that if you are in an ER for more than 8 hours it is probably because there is not a regular room to transfer you to in the immediate area. So your 19 hour ER stay may have a 6 hour (round trip) drive and a 2-or-3 hour admission tacked onto the end of it.
– Joe H.