Bleeding emergencies: Be prepared

Accidents happen; you just never know when. Living with a bleeding disorder requires some extra preparation to ensure you'll be ready to tackle emergencies whenever they may pop up.1

Ambulance and blood drop icon.

If you’re having a bleeding emergency now

First and foremost, try to remain calm, move quickly and follow these 3 steps:

  • Double-check your prepared ER checklist1
  • Take your pre-packed ER bag1
  • Proceed to the ER1

Preparing for a bleeding emergency before it happens2

With a bleeding disorder, trips to the Emergency Room may be necessary. ER staff may not be as familiar with bleeding disorders as you are, so by preparing your family and your ER in advance, you can make ER visits less stressful for everyone.

Steps to follow BEFORE an emergency:

  • Download an ER checklist

    • Treatment and supplies
    • Additional materials from your HTC for managing a bleeding emergency
    • All relevant health information:
    • Letter from your doctor
    • Description of your bleeding disorder
    • Your insurance information
    • List of all medications you are taking/prescribed
    • List of any allergies

Find an Emergency Room in advance

In an emergency, you can't always have a choice of which ER you go to in the moment. However, preparing ER staff in advance can make a big difference in the emergency treatment you receive. When vetting an ER, follow these suggestions2:

Hospital icon.

Find the ER most familiar with treating bleeding disorders (if there is more than one nearby)

Doctor icon.

Ask your healthcare provider which facility is commonly used by people with a bleeding disorder

Literature icon.

Request additional materials for managing a bleeding disorder and emergencies from your HTC

Preparing for a natural disaster

Keep 7 extra doses of factor treatment at home, work, or with you in case you must evacuate due to a natural disaster (hurricane, blizzard, forest fire, etc.), where your treatment supply may be limited for a while.4

I always say to emergency room staff, listen to the patient, because they often know more about their disease state than the people treating them.

-Lisa, Takeda COMMUNITY education specialist

Keep exploring

Woman checking her phone.

Download and print an ER checklist

LEARN MORE
Physician discussing treatment options with the patient.

Learn about pain management

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Man reading on a tablet.

Connect with a Community Education Specialist

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  1. National Hemophilia Foundation. Steps for living: emergency preparedness. https‌:‌/‌/‌stepsforliving‌.hemophilia‌.org‌/‌step-‌up/‌treatment/‌emergency-preparedness. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  2. Canadian Hemophilia Society. The emergency room: prepare to succeed. https‌:‌/‌/‌www.‌hemophilia‌.ca‌/‌files/‌er2‌.‌pdf. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  3. National Hemophilia Foundation. Steps for living: identifying types of bleeds. https‌:‌/‌/‌stepsforliving‌.hemophilia‌.‌org‌/basics‌-‌of-‌bleeding-‌disorders/‌identifying-‌types-‌of-bleeds. Accessed February 11, 2023.
  4. National Hemophilia Foundation. MASAC recommendation regarding home factor supply for emergency preparedness for patients with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. https:/www.hemophilia.org/sites/default/files/document/files/masac-227.pdf. Published 2014. Accessed February 11, 2023.