Emergency Information Packets: Strategies for Life, Living Well with Vision Loss
Debby Smith, Rehabilitation Specialist
May 1, 2010
Last year, several of the clients with whom we work called 911 for emergency services. When help arrived they did not have all the information concerning their medical history and medications in one place. EMTs, fire and police responding to a medical emergency find this information is not only helpful to providing thorough care, but that it can be life-saving for the individual.
Popular in the past and still in use in some housing, is the Vial of Life, a small container with medical information placed inside that is located in the refrigerator. Emergency personnel were trained to look in the refrigerator but often valuable time was wasted searching for the vial. Sometimes the written information was blurred due to accumulating moisture in the vial. Thus the FILE OF LIFE concept evolved.
The FILE OF LIFE FOUNDATION, Inc., a non-profit corporation promoting life-saving ideas, developed the FILE OF LIFE. There is both a wallet size version and a larger version to be posted right on the refrigerator door, a more visible location than being hidden among jars and bottles in the refrigerator.
The staff at Perkins Strategies for Life has built on the FILE OF LIFE by developing a large print Emergency Information packet for individuals with vision loss. This packet has all the pertinent information gathered together, in an accessible format, for emergency responders, caregivers and the individual.
The packet is placed in a plastic sleeve attached to a prominent spot easily seen by emergency responders, such as the refrigerator door. The bright red cover has space to indicate when the information was listed and when it has been updated.
The first section includes:
- name, address & phone
- emergency contact & phone
- primary care physician & phone
- allergies
- health insurance information
- personal information such as date of birth, sex, blood type and religion.
- if signed, where a Health Care Proxy is filed
- if signed, where a Living Will is filed
- if signed, where a Do Not Resuscitate request is filed
The second section includes:
- recent surgeries, tests or other medical procedures with dates
- medical conditions with responsible specialist & phone
The last section includes:
- medications and times taken
- medication numbers for reordering
- pharmacy name & phone
The FILE OF LIFE FOUNDATION, Inc. outlines the benefits of accessible emergency information. Police officers can respond to emergencies more quickly and efficiently. Emergency rescue teams have immediate access to the medical history and can begin appropriate treatment. The hospital emergency staff does not need to seek information from a patient who may be confused. The individual has all the important information updated and at their finger tips. They have the peace of mind that they will have better care and that their loved ones will be notified.
Gathering medical information and emergency information together in one place can be life-saving. For further information, please contact Perkins Strategies for Life at Outreach@Perkins.org or the FILE OF LIFE FOUNDATION, Inc. at www.folife.org.
Perkins Outreach Services for Ages 55 and Older, Outreach@Perkins.org, 617-972-7643.
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