Medical authorization for parents taking care of child

[Anonymous]

We used to take friends with us on vacations every year starting in elementary school—2.5 hour drive to ski or 1.5 drive to the beach—and my mom (a nurse) always asked our friend’s parents to write a note granting her permission to sign off on urgent medical decisions in case anything happened.

When I was 14 it was put to use unexpectedly: before even leaving town for one of our trips our car was t-boned at an intersection and totaled. We were all okay but there was a large emergency response and the ambulance wanted my friend’s parents to come down to the accident scene and sign off that she didn’t need treatment. My mom whipped out the letter— which the paramedic thought was just the craziest thing ever since we still local—but accepted it as sufficient and left. So they do work and are useful!

[Anonymous]

Yes - we left the country for 5 days last year and the kids stayed with my parents. We downloaded and filled out forms from the state (Maryland) authorizing them to make medical decisions for the kids in our absence. There is something more official than just a letter. You never know if you might need it.

[Anonymous]

I wrote my own (I’m a lawyer). Emergency treatment isn’t the only issue. There are times kids go to the pediatrician for a sore throat and it’s nothing but needs to be checked. Notes are required for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just write a letter giving her permission.

+2

You are making a big deal out of nothing. People do this all the time.
Leave your kid's insurance card with the grandparents too.