If you assume that our going into a hospital, for any reason, would be a safe and a good thing because hospitals are full of doctors and

[MBAnderson]

nurses who - of course - know about Parkinson’s, you would be making a serious mistake.

One of our (HU Zoom) comrades had a terrible time in a hospital recently.

The Parkinson’s Foundation offers a free kit for pwp in case of emergency visit to a hospital and since most hospital visits are unplanned emergencies, such as due to falls, Covid, or even a planned trip, you might want to have the kit in hand.

“Delayed Administration and Contraindicated Drugs Place Hospitalized Parkinson’s Disease Patients at Risk”

"Studies show that three out of four hospitalized patients with Parkinson’s disease do not receive their medications on time, or have had doses entirely omitted.4 According to the National Parkinson Foundation, 70% of neurologists report that their patients do not get the medications they need when hospitalized."

ismp.org/resources/delayed-...

“How To Stay Safe During a Hospitalization with Parkinson’s”

parkinson.org/blog/tips/Sta...

“Who Can Use the Kit”

parkinson.org/Living-with-P...

The Perfect Storm: When Parkinson’s Patients Enter the Hospital

thehealthcareblog.com/blog/...

[rebtar]

Thanks!

[eschneid]

Thanks. I do think about a hospital stay every once in awhile and for the reasons mentioned it gets me nervous. The kit seems like a very good idea.

Eric

[Lionore]

I was hospitalized twice since June, the first time for three days and the second for eight. Both times I came to the ER. The first time, it took 36 hours for the hospital pharmacy to obtain my carbidopa/levodopa although they had Rasagiline. Fortunately I had an emergency supply with me and I was permitted to take the pill with the nurse watching me. For both hospitalizations I received all of my medication according to the floor schedule. This meant too many hours between doses or too close before or after a meal. My PD is mild and since I didn’t have to do much of anything except get my carcass to the bathroom, not even do that the first time since I had broken four ribs it wasn’t a problem but for someone with more advanced PD it could means being immobilized, not good!

[MBAnderson in reply to Lionore]

Could have been pretty bad if our PD meds were essential to your functioning.

[simonasays]

Please do not go to the hospital for reasons other than symptoms of stroke, inability to get oxygen (confirmed by a pulse oximeter reading preferably) and symptoms of a cardiac event or anything else you suspect needs serious hospital intervention. Pain is not a good reason (try telehealth) - i cant tell you how many people come because of pain and are disappointed and turned away.