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EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUPPLIES

If you are going to be volunteering in shelters or other locations that are not usually clinics, you can’t count on there being equipment or supplies, so bring everything you may need with you

MEDICAL BAG

Stethoscope

Otoscope

Pen Light

Hand wipes and sanitizer

Gloves

Prescription pads

Pad of paper for records

Glucose meter and supplies

Urine dip sticks

Aspirin, ibuprofen, Tylenol & Benadryl

Most of this is obvious.  The glucose meter and urine dip stick are really helpful in deciding who needs to go to the hospital and who can stay in the shelter.  The medicines are very limited, but you can’t supply everything.  Aspirin is for cardiac patients and those who need anticoagulation.  Fever and pain relievers are important.  Benadryl is good for allergy, itching and sleep.

WOUND CARE SUPPLIES

Gloves, hand wipes, sanitizer

Dishwashing liquid – not antibacterial

Bacitracin ointment & Silvadene cream

Skin closure strips

Tubes of gauze – 2” & 4”

Adhesive tape and cohesive bandage

Scissors, tweezers, etc.

Tongue blades

ACE wraps

Sanitary pads – not super absorbent

If you may be dressing wounds, put together a box or supplies that you can carry and that can be used to store the supplies.  A plastic file box with a handle in ideal.  Remember that triclosan causes infections and make sure your detergent is NOT antibacterial.  Don’t take suturing materials.  Anything you can’t pull together with tape needs to go to the ER.  However, you can do a lot to clean up wounds and pull them together.  Tongue blades make good finger splints.  Sanitary pads make great cheap bandages.  Get the old fashioned kind, the super absorbent ones are treated with chemicals that can be very irritating.

23 March 2009