I had fun with this over the past two years. I was in and out of the hospital so often, I had a "hostage bag" packed for it. (dubbed such due to the fact that once the hospital has you, they don't want to let you go)

My husband simply refuses to deal with bills, so I have them come into an online bill paying service, and set to go out automatically. Like you, when ever a family member needs medical care, I'm the one 'on call'.

I have everything that has been done medically forwarded to my primary caregiver, that way the hospital has one stop access, no matter the situation.

I have four kids, so I made a little laminated card to keep in my wallet with everybody's SS#'s on it, that way they are always at my finger tips.

LOL I've not ever heard it called a "hostage" bag. What did you keep in it? Also, do you have your SSNs coded or anything to keep them from being used should your wallet be stolen?

You said you have everything that has been done medically forwarded to your PCP (primary care physician), but what happens with that information if you're admitted during off hours?

The SS#'s are in a rip in my wallet.... you have to know where to find them. hehehe

In my bag I kept my list of -ectomies (what surgeries I've had so they knew what organs can't be causing me problems anymore), list of meds, and a list of allergies. I also kept a night gown, robe, change of clothing, shoes, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, a change purse with $5 in quarters (vending machines), a couple of magazines, and a book.

It was dubbed that after a 3 day hospital stay where the doctor just admitted me to milk my insurance. I went in because I was out of pain meds and ovulating, and he said he wanted to run some tests. He never ran anything more than a CBC, and when I found out that he was putting me on IV antibiotics for a WBC of 13, I blew my top. I realize that is slightly elevated, but on three occasions before it had been higher and I didn't have antibiotics. I never went to that surgeon again.

Good grief! I had a hard time convincing the doctor that I NEEDED to be admitted when I was doubled over with abdominal pain, had a fever of 104, and a WBC of 22!! He said, "I'll give you a script for antibiotics & some Darvocet. If you're not feeling any better by tomorrow, then we'll decide another course of action."

I walked out of his office, tears streaming down my cheeks, drove myself to the hospital & had surgery 7 hrs later for a blocked ureter due to adhesions. If I hadn't been a nurse or fairly assertive individual, I probably would have been home being a good little patient, but dying

After that, I began an aggressive campaign with family, patients, people in grocery lines, etc. re: taking responsibility for your own health, 'cause nobody else is going to do it!!

Again, my profession just kills me! (or would if I let it - tee hee hee).

My mother was the 'good patient' variety. It was up to me to get mean on her behalf.

She had a colonoscopy, and that evening she was having excruciating abdominal pain. She called the ER, and the nurse told her that it was probably gas (over the phone) and that there wasn't anything they could do for her if she came in.

After being up with it all night, she called her PHP. He told her to meet him at the hospital immediately. They had punctured her colon. I went to the DON and told her I wanted that nurse's head on a platter. Everybody knows that you tell a patient that you can't determine the problem until they come in. You always encourage them to come in to be examined. You never tell them don't bother.

*I initially posted this in the wrong thread! Oops...