Monday, March 26, 2012

Planning a Safe Summer Vacation

June marks the beginning of vacation season. Gainesville Memorial Hospital wishes you safe and healthy summer traveling and reminds you to plan for basic health needs and be prepared for medical emergencies.

Before you leave, GMH recommends:

* Taking a first aid class and learning CPR.
* Reviewing medication dosage schedules with your pharmacist or healthcare provider if traveling across time zones.
* If traveling out of the country, check your health insurance policy for coverage of illnesses or accidents that occur outside the United States.
* When planning a cruise, ask about the availability of medical staff and equipment should an emergency occur.

Gainesville Memorial Hospital recommends that you take the following items with you on your summer travels:

* A list of your medical conditions, recent operations and allergies.
* Copies of your eyeglass prescription and an extra pair of lenses.
* Your health insurance card.
* A list of medications you are currently taking and an ample supply of these medications. Be sure to keep prescription medications in the original containers.
* Over-the-counter medicines used for common ailments such as a pain reliever, antihistamine, anti-nausea/motion sickness medication, decongestant, antacid, laxative, and anti-diarrheal. This is particularly important if you are traveling overseas because drug names, doses and availability differ by country.
* A traveler’s first aid kit that includes assorted sizes of bandages and wraps, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, hydrocortisone cream, scissors, tweezers and a thermometer.
* Sunscreen, insect repellent and lip balm.

Additional recommendations:

* Carry a day’s supply of medications with you at all times.
* If you have severe allergies, wear an alert bracelet or necklace to alert others of your condition. Check with your doctor to discuss specific treatments you can use in case of an allergic reaction.
* Don’t store medicines where temperatures climb higher than 100 degrees. Heat and humidity affect the potency of many drugs.
* Keep medicines in child-resistant containers and out of the reach of children.

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