Take Your Kid To Urgent Care A Lot? Pack A Bag So You're Always Ready

Health & Medical Blog

If your child is prone to hurting themselves often, has serious health issues that exasperate problems like asthma, or tends to get infections regularly, you likely visit urgent care more often than is convenient. Packing a bag to keep in the car is a great way to make sure that you're always ready for a trip to urgent care even when it's unexpected. Here are a few things you should pack:

Important Paperwork

It's essential to make sure that your urgent care bag contains all your child's paperwork and health history information, so caregivers have instant access to it when you walk through the door for help. The information will come in handy if you end up having to visit an urgent care center that you've never been to before, as a new patient file will have to be created before giving your child care.

Even if you're visiting an urgent care center that you have previously been to, your paperwork can be helpful if something is missing from your child's file or if your little one has been cared for at another facility for any reason in the past. Put your paperwork in a manila envelope or folder and keep it in your urgent care bag so it's easily accessible during any emergency. The following information should be kept in your file:

  • Insurance cards and policy copies.

  • A copy of your driver's license.

  • A signed parental authorization form (request a copy from an urgent care center you've already submitted one to).

  • A list of current and past medications that your child has been given.

  • A list of medical conditions, surgeries, and therapies that your child has been exposed to.

It's also a good idea to keep copies of your child's vaccination records and health reports that have been provided to you by doctors in the past.

Some Reading Material

There's a good chance that you'll be spending some time in the waiting room of the urgent care center while waiting for your child's turn to be seen or while your little one is being treated by a doctor, so pack some interesting reading material in your bag to keep on hand for these occasions. Some magazines for you and kids books for your little one should keep you both occupied during any downtime while at the urgent care center. Replace your magazines and books with new ones about once a month to keep things fresh and interesting.

A Change of Clothes

Visiting urgent care can be time-consuming if the facility is busy, so it's a good idea to pack a change of clothes for your little one in case they have an accident or want to get more comfortable while they wait. Pack a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt along with a small blanket that your child can change into if you find out that your wait will be extensive. You may also want to pack yourself a set of comfortable clothes to change into for comfort in case you're heading to urgent care straight from work.

Your newly packed bag should help make trips to urgent care more convenient and comfortable for both you and your child.    

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