MCS Hospital Access

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MCS Hospital Access

_http://www.healsoaz.org/hospital_access.htm_

(http://www.healsoaz.org/hospital_access.htm)

Hospital care that helps others can, unfortunately, do great harm to

people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). Special precautions must be

taken when treating chemically sensitive patients in order to prevent

severe reactions and facilitate healing. Well-ventilated facilities with

fragrance-free, smoke-free personnel using least-toxic materials, procedures,

and

cleaning products can help people with MCS avoid severe reactions when

seeking medical care.

Emergency care is a serious problem: during a crisis, people with MCS may

not communicate effectively, and emergency personnel may be unaware that

routine practices can be harmful, even life threatening. Exhaust from idling

emergency vehicles, scented products on emergency personnel, and new

plastic tubing, for example, may cause severe reactions. In some cases, people

with MCS who have complained of odours undetectable to the emergency crew

have been mistakenly confined in psychiatric facilities.

To Prepare for a Medical Emergency or Hospital Stay in Advance

· Wear a medic alert bracelet.

· Have your doctor complete the “MCS Accommodation Letterâ€

(below), and have it with you, in your wallet, with your insurance ID card.

· Locate an “advocateâ€, someone who can enter the hospital,

understands your specific sensitivities, and agrees to be there in an

emergency or hospital stay. If necessary this person can speak for you –

Give them

the medical power of attorney (below).

If you are going into the hospital for a planned procedure you can make

more preparations in advance, including: Finding out which hospitals in your

area are most familiar and accommodating for those with MCS. Discussing

your needs with the hospital and arranging for a private room and to bring

those things for yourself that you will need. Preparing a kit of the personal

things you want to have while there. Determining what anesthetics,

sutures and other materials you can use and arranging to have them available.

Materials available to help with this:

“_First Do No Harm_ (http://www.healsoaz.org/first_do_no_harm.htm) †and

other articles by Ann Mc Campbell, MD

and

“_Hospitalization for the Chemically Sensitive Patient_

(http://www.ctaz.com/~bhima/hospital.htm) â€

b_http://www.ctaz.com/~bhima/hospital.htm_

(http://www.ctaz.com/~bhima/hospital.htm) by Selena Anema, RN

“Tips for Anesthetics and Hospitalization for People with MCSâ€

_http://www.immuneweb.org/articles/anesthetics.html_

(http://www.immuneweb.org/articles/anesthetics.html) by Susan Beck, on the

Immune

Web site.

HEAL of Southern Arizona’s MCS Accommodations Letter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print the Instructions: _http://www.citlink.net/~bhima/hospital.htm_

(http://www.citlink.net/~bhima/hospital.htm)

Use of the MCS Accommodation Letter

 

Suggestions Regarding the MCS Accommodations Letter from HEAL of Southern

Arizona - Not for the Physician

To the MCS sufferer:

The MCS Awareness Letter was written primarily for use in outpatient and

even non-medical situations.

It is designed to be copied onto your physician’s stationery. Feel free to

adapt the format to whatever the letterhead requires. You may also wish

to modify the content if your MCS requirements are different from those

listed. Some suggestion things to consider including n the modifications are

listed below; in addition see Guidelines from Ann Mc Campbell, MD

Although the doctor’s letterhead lends more credibility, it isn’t

absolutely essential. The doctor’s dated signature gives the document the

power of

Doctor’s Orders, and most people recognize and honour the importance of a

physician’s instructions.

For Best Results:

The best results are usually obtained by making a telephone call in

advance. Explain briefly that you have a disability that will require advance

planning, and find out to whom the doctor’s instructions should be addressed.

Then send the letter (a fax machine is ideal for this). Once it has

reached its destination, call the addressee to schedule an appointment. Most

people are gracious and helpful with this approach.

Prepare for the Unexpected:

For your safety and convenience, make several copies of the original

signed letter from your physician and send copies to the service providers as

needed. Keep the original, along with one or two copies, in your home flies

in a packet of health-related information for emergencies. Keep a similar

packet in your car in case of accident or emergency, and also carry a copy

of the physician’s statement in your purse or wallet. You’ll find it

useful for requesting accommodations in a variety of situations.

Along with the MCS Accommodations Letter, your health information packet

could include:

* a fairly current list of drugs, nutritional supplements and herbs

you take regularly

* lists of drug and chemical intolerances, and a list of drugs you

know you can tolerate. It would be

helpful to list them under headings “extremely reactive, moderately

reactive, tolerated.â€

* more extensive written protocols for situations such as emergency

transport, hospitalization,

surgery, etc.

If this seems like an overwhelming project, just start with the MCS

Accommodations Letter and add the other items when you’re able.

Be aware that health care workers are more overworked, understaffed, and

under-appreciated than at any time in recent history. Our special needs

require extra time and mental energy, and may reduce the amount of time and

attention available for other deserving patients. Be assertive, but use good

manners to the best of your ability. If you receive good service, make an

effort to send a simple thank-you note.

You will become memorable as a positive influence in spite of your

limitations, and you will smooth the path for fellow El’s to receive good

care in

the future.

The MCS Accommodations Letter and these accompanying suggestions were

prepared by a HEAL member who has a clinical background in a/lied health. March

2002.

Hospital Packet

HEAL of southern Arizona also has a “Hospital Packet†which includes a

copy the Hospital Accommodation Letter and its Suggested Uses, the Medical

Power of Attorney form, a copy of the three resources referred to above and

additional information such as a copy of “Going to the Hospitalâ€, an

article from the Spring 2002 Human Ecologist Magazine.

To order the packet contact _Heal of Southern Arizona_

(http://www.healsoaz.org/Healsoaz.htm)

 

Copyright 2001, HEAL of Southern Arizona. All rights reserved. last

updated 5/10/2005