[Dr. H's Clipboard] Be Prepared for Emergencies

Published: Thu, 03/09/17

Be Prepared for Emergencies

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"Belinda had a seizure," according to her husband, Ron. He heard a loud noise and ran to check on her. She appeared to be convulsing; Ron immediately called 911. When EMS arrived, Belinda was awake and claiming that she just passed out from the stomach flu.

While treating Belinda in the emergency room, the physician felt trapped in the middle of "he said, she said." Belinda had never previously had a seizure, so this required more investigation. The paramedics recorded normal blood sugar and blood pressure at the scene. She had a lump and small cut on her head. Belinda had used illicit drugs in the past, but she had been clean for two years.

As a caregiver, Ron felt strangely at odds with his wife. He wanted to protect her privacy while being certain the doctor had all of the pertinent information. How Ron handled this situation could be crucial to Belinda’s diagnosis and well-being. Without preparation, he might simply forget information or sway the doctor’s impression.

Consider these five tips to avoid common mistakes made by caregivers during emergencies.

Call for National Standard for End-of-Life Care

In many respects, palliative care begins at home:

• Not recognizing that people are dying and not
responding to their needs

• Poor symptom control

• Poor communication

• Poor advance care planning

• Delays in diagnosis and referrals for treatment

National standards for palliative and end-of-life care are needed after a report revealed stark discrepancies in services.

Read Article ...

Kevin's World

Spring Training Returns to the Valley

My spinning instructor recently said to the class, "I train you to be athletes, which means I tell you the goals." The goals of a major league coach are to teach the fundamentals to players in preparation for opening day. Do you know the goals and fundamentals of caregiving before your loved one develops a major league disease?

The best athletes (who act as caregivers) practice good sportsmanship: fair and generous behavior or treatment of others.

Hear Dr. H

A Leading Voice for Compassionate
End-of-Life Care

Dr. Haselhorst speaks to individuals, organizations and institutions that are passionate about personal well-being, lenient healthcare delivery and spiritual awareness being provided during the time to die.

Great voids and gaping wounds exist in end-of-life discussions. Dr. H brings his diverse experience of wound healing and pain management to those traumatized by the threat of death or grief in its aftermath.

Click here to learn more and contact Dr. H

Testimonial about Dr. H:
“...He is so knowledgeable & well spoken. He knows the topic well & presents an insight belying his age.”

Tributes & Wishes

WEEKLY POSTS ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/WishesToDieFor

#TributeTuesday
Share a tribute to a loved one who has died, or to mark the anniversary of their death.

From Feb 28th: #TributeTuesday: The Irish know how to bless a life and hold a wake. Kevin Rippey was lucky to have a pretty girl named Sandra.

#WishfulWednesday

Have a wish for the weekend? Post your plan on Wednesday. Practice expressing end-of-life wishes during the prime of life.

Post on Facebook

Selecting Your Own Rite of Passage

Living While Dying

“Living while dying” is a new concept for most people. It’s also the name of a new film that’s being released by my friend, Cathy Zheutlin. She has asked me to be an advisor on the project. My opinion, like your opinion, matters in life and death. As Cathy explores the reality of her loved ones facing death, she turns the camera around and looks at herself. How will she approach living while dying? The end result of the film is to have viewers ponder and pick their own rite of passage.

Please support her film that makes “living while dying” easier for everyone to engage.

About Dr. Kevin Haselhorst

Dr. Kevin Haselhorst has enjoyed a lively career as an emergency medicine physician. While often caring for patients near the end of life, he has become painfully aware that they rarely seem to end life peacefully. These patients are typically burdened by multiple medical conditions, yet are repeatedly admitted to the hospital in hopes of holding off the inevitable. This results in patients and caregivers feeling more self-defeated and less personally fulfilled. He is the author of the book, Wishes To Die For,, which shows patients how to die with dignity.