When an emergency happens, whether it’s a heart attack or an accident, it is critical that doctors have access to health information of anyone who needs assistance.
You may not be available to provide needed information in an emergency. While you cannot predict when an emergency may happen, you can be prepared. Make sure that key health information is up to date, accurate and handy.
Include in your health record, whether digital or paper, the following information:
• Your name, age and sex
• Your address
• Your medication names, doses and schedules
• Your medical equipment if using any
• Your chronic medical conditions, such as epilepsy, blood pressure, diabetes
• Medical consent form
• Health history including allergies and immunisation record
• Add I.C.E. or “In Case of Emergency” contact name and phone numbers to your cell phone. This should identify someone who is close to you and can communicate your medical history to emergency responders if you are not able to communicate for yourself.
The most important thing is to make sure the information can be made readily available in an emergency or if you’re unconscious.
• Store this information online and share it with your doctor and emergency contact person.
• If you have children, it is important to handle their emergency health information similarly.
• If you choose to maintain your emergency health information on paper, keep a number of print copies in handy places. For example, put a copy in your car and in your wallet
• Put the list on a cell phone
Always keep at home phone numbers for professional emergency contacts, such as your family doctor and hospital near your home, office or on your daily routes that provide emergency services.