Medical Information to Have in an Emergency
What medical and health information should you keep in a handy place?
Most of us don't think about what can happen when we are on vacation, visiting family and friends or in an unknown area of our own state. The natural thought is that our doctor knows all of our medical information, but what if he isn't available, what happens if time is of the essence? What happens if we are unable to answer questions for emergency room doctors and nurses? Are you ready if that happens?
Keep this information with you, preferably in the same area as your license or I.D. and it just could save your life.
Here are just some of the things recommended by Doctor Edward Stettner, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University Atlanta, GA and other healthcare professionals:
- Medical HISTORY -- a complete list of illnesses, chronic diseases, conditions, and the dates experienced, attending physician, treatments, and results of the treatment
- MEDICATIONS and supplements -- a complete list of a drugs and chemical treatments you have received or are on now, including over-the-counter meds and nutritional supplements, herbal/homeopathic treatments, or vitamins
- ALLERGIES -- an outline of any items you are allergic to, including medications, foods, environmental factors, animals, insects, plants, side effects to treatments, etc.
- SURGICAL history -- every in-patient or out-patient surgery or invasive procedure you have had, including the date, condition or situation treated, hospital, and surgeon
- Private PHYSICIAN -- a complete list of doctors you have seen in the past and who currently serve you, including primary care as well as specialists
- Emergency CONTACTS -- a list of family, friends, neighbors, doctors, or others who should be contacted in case of an emergency, with alternate numbers for each
- Your WISHES -- outline any advance directives, your living will, do not resuscitate orders, or any other special requests regarding your care
- IMPLANTS or prosthetics -- list any devices or components that have been implanted in your body, including pace makers, dental implants, metal plates, etc.
- Miscellaneous -- anything else of importance the doctor should know, including specific dietary needs, personal preferences, undiagnosed complaints, etc.
Now you have read it from doctors, the ones that will have to take care of you in an emergency and the information that they will need to help you to survive. Do not be sorry you did not follow through and make a small medical record packet for your wallet.
Jan Hayner is a Professional Organizer that helps you to find the overlooked things in your life that need organizing. Check out her website Organizing Your Life THE EASY WAY for checklists, pintables', free pamphlets and articles.