Have you ever thought about what would happen if you had to go to an emergency room while you are on vacation or traveling?
I have a friend who is an emergency room physician. He has stated to me that what bothers him the most is that most people come in with no medical information. Even if one of their family members brings them in, they usually do not have all the details required for the doctor to always make good choices.
I have thought about it. I have 7 drugs and 2 major food allergies, take 6 medications and vitamins per day, have 4 primary medical conditions, and have had breast cancer and reconstruction. Any of these can affect why I am in the emergency room and the doctor’s choices of treatment.
Have you ever thought about how your medical information and history can affect an emergency room physician’s decisions?
We assume that the physician will always know what to do to save our lives. But what if they do not have all of the information that they need to do so?
Such as in my case, I have so many drug allergies. If they gave me one of those that I am allergic to, it could make my situation worse. When I was traveling with the military, I did not always have someone with me who knew my history. Even if I have family members with me, they do not know all of my medical information. Do you know how helpless that would make them feel?
That is why I came up with the following.
Where should you keep this information so that others can access it?
What I have discovered is there are two items that most of us always carry with us nowadays: a wallet and a cell phone. Always keep the following information updated in both. I have attached a form for you to complete and put into your wallet. There is a free app to put on your cell phone called Medical ID. Emergency personnel can even access it on your lock screen. And you can print out the information you have entered to put into your wallet. Just make sure that you include all of the information listed below. I let my doctors and nurses make a copy of my information. They appreciate this current information to keep their records updated. I check this information every month to keep it up to date.
Especially if you have life-threatening concerns, you should wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace all of the time. There’s not much space on them. At least include the following: “See phone app or wallet” and your primary contact person’s “name & cell phone #”. Example, on mine: See wallet card; Nut allergy – epi-pen; Penicillin allergy; Other drug allergies; Left breast implant; BP on right only; Contact (my husband and his cell phone #).
9 Pieces of Information Doctors Need for Your Care:
1. Your insurance information
- Always have all of your insurance cards with you. There is important information on the front and back that the doctors will need.
2. Personal information
- Full legal name – as it is on your legal ID
- Date of birth – so they know your age
- Home address – if a home visit is needed
- Personal cell phone number – to find your phone if needed
- Religion – for them to contact the appropriate people if needed
- Language – to improve communication
- Blood type – in case a transfusion is needed
3. Medical conditions
- Examples: Fibromyalgia, High Blood Pressure, etc.
4. Allergies
- Drug allergies and reactions
- Food allergies and reactions
- Any other allergies, such as bee stings, etc., and reactions
- If you carry an epi-pen
5. Medications
- For each medication: dosage, frequency, & reason for taking it
- Include all prescribed and over-the-counter drugs
6. Surgeries
- List each surgery since birth
- Include approximate dates
7. Doctor information
- For each doctor who cares for you: name, type of doctor, address, and phone number
8. Emergency contacts
- For each contact: name, how related to you, address, and phone number
- List 1 person who lives with you, if possible
- List 2 persons who know as much as possible about you.
9. Other information
- This would include any other information that is important for your health
- Implants, stents, etc. (have cards if needed)
- Specific instructions (like take blood pressure on the right only)
Conclusion
Having these 9 pieces of information with you at all times could save your life. If you do not do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones. They usually do not know all of your current information. Only you do.