Sample Letter to Hospital(s)
Dear

I am a member of a malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptible family and I reside in your treatment area.  Exposing an MH-susceptible individual to the volatile inhalation anesthetics or succinylcholine may trigger a potentially fatal MH reaction.  As a result, I can only have surgery at those facilities that are fully prepared to treat MH.  While it is relatively easy to schedule elective surgery at such a hospital, it is more difficult to ensure I arrive at a prepared facility in the event of an emergency.

The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) and the Anesthetic Patient Safety Foundation both recommend every facility where general anesthesia is administered have in place a well-defined protocol and means to diagnose and treat MH.  This includes continuous temperature monitoring during every general anesthetic and maintenance of an adequate supply of unexpired dantrolene sodium for injection near the operating room.  MHAUS recommends stocking thirty-six (36) vials of dantrolene.

Please let me know if your hospital is adequately prepared to handle an MH crisis.

A brochure that describes MHAUS is enclosed.  You may wish to contact MHAUS directly for more information for your operating room staff.

                                                            Sincerely,

Enclosures