A medical history is often essential in the care of a patient. Failure to have adequate information can result in all sorts of problems. This can be a particular problem when dealing with a patient in the Emergency Room.
Hazards:
(1) failure to receive an essential medication
(2) withdrawal reaction
(3) history of toxic exposure
(4) history of trauma
(5) history of allergies
(6) relapse of pre-existing condition
(7) failure to recognize a complication of a condition
(8) failure to get informed consent (religious beliefs, unwanted care, etc)
People at risk:
(1) unconscious
(2) inability to communicate (incoherent, foreign language, etc)
(3) unwillingness to communicate (criminal, psychiatric disorder, etc)
Sources of patient information if the patient is unable to provide it:
(1) family and friends
(2) medical record
(3) health bracelet or card
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
