The holiday season, though full of joy and holiday cheer, is always a major time for accidents and injuries. To be prepared for the worst, yet still hopeful for the best, we have prepared some useful tips on how to be prepared if that need for a trip to the ER arises this holiday season.
Information/Items you should always carry:
You should always carry these items or information on your person in case of emergency:
- copy of passport
- insurance card
- 300 RMB cash (for ambulance)
- emergency contact information
- any allergy information
- current medication information
- credit card/bank card
- vaccination history (or at least be aware of vaccination history)
Be prepared to answer such questions as
- Is the incident related to trauma or injury? Give a full account of how the injury happened
- For acute illnesses, be prepared to answer: How long the symptoms have existed, travel history, contact with animals/pets, recent medication history, time of last meal……
- For unconscious or those with decreased consciousness, the next of kin will need to assist in the care / communication process.
Particularly for parents:
Help us to understand, under normal conditions and in this urgent state, your child’s:
- current medication situation
- any allergies to be aware of
- behavior and social norms
- eating habits/preferences
- sleep habits
Let the inpatient staff know how they can make you and your child feel more safe and comfortable. And if you don’t understand something, ASK! Don’t ever feel shy about the medical care and status of your child.
Tips for calling in an Emergency:
- If you are worried that you are faced with an emergency, you can call any international hospital ER 24/7 to inquire about steps to take. If you are seriously considering going to an ER but have some doubts, you can always call first before going. The OASIS 24/7 ER line is 5985-0333
- If you don’t speak Chinese or aren’t familiar with the hospital location, you can call the ER 5985-0333 for them to give the driver directions in Chinese.
- Most importantly, Stay calm!
- If you are concerned that you won’t make it to the hospital in time to meet your medical needs, contact an ambulance at 120 to come to you. You can also call the OASIS ER to help you communicate with the ambulance employees when they arrive.
Signs of an emergency:
- Choking
- Stopped breathing
- Head injury with passing out, fainting, or confusion
- Injury to neck or spine, especially if there is loss of feeling or inability to move
- Electric shock or lightning strike
- Severe burn
- Severe chest pain or pressure
- Seizure that lasted 3 to 5 minutes
- Trouble breathing
- Passing out, fainting
- Pain in the arm or jaw
- Unusual or bad headache, especially if it started suddenly
- Suddenly not able to speak, see, walk, or move
- Suddenly weak or drooping on one side of the body
- Dizziness or weakness that does not go away
- Inhaled smoke or poisonous fumes
- Sudden confusion
- Heavy bleeding
- Possible broken bone, loss of movement, especially if the bone is pushing through the skin
- Deep wound
- Serious burn
- Coughing or throwing up blood
- Severe pain anywhere on the body
- Severe allergic reaction with trouble breathing, swelling, hives
- High fever with headache and stiff neck
- High fever that does not get better with medicine
- Throwing up or loose stools that does not stop
- Poisoning or overdose of drug or alcohol
- Suicidal thoughts
- Seizures
OASIS ER 24hr Hotline (Adult & Pediatric): 5985-0333
OASIS Pediatric Medical Emergencies during normal operating hours: 5985 0302/0303
