Tip of the Day- Make an Emergency Medical Card

by Alison Palmer | More from this Blogger

20 Jan 2007 05:47 PM

We all hate those little cards the schools send home in triplicate each year. But hey, they have a point. In the event of an emergency the last thing they want to do is scramble for information.

Take a few minutes to make your life a little easier as well. When an emergency happens there are things you'll be asked or need to tell someone that you may not be able to. The medical providers aren't trying to make things harder on you, they're trying to get the job done and provide the best care they can. It helps both parties if the information they'll need is readily available.

Write it down. Make copies for your spouse and your nanny- anyone who might need the information. Then put your own copy in your wallet. Get an index card and do the following.

List the date the card was created in the upper left hand corner. This way every time you clean out your wallet (once every year or two if you're like me) you can scan the information and jot down a date that it was updated. Next list the following information about each person in your home.

Name

Age

Weight- some treatments can be more effective if calculated by weight

Blood type- they'll still do all the testing, but it helps speed the process along

Allergies- foods and environmental things as well as medications (if there aren't any, say so)

Medical conditions- asthma, heart murmur, autistic, anything long-term

Medications taken regularly- list the name, dose and when it's taken

Medical Power of Attorney or a Living Will- do you have them and where can they can be found

After you have done this for each person, use the back of your card for emergency contact information.

Yes, you may have all of their numbers programmed into your phone but what if that's not an option. List out everyone you think you'd need to call in an emergency, even if you know their number by heart. Very few of us are truly thinking straight when we need those numbers.

List your primary care provider, work numbers for other adults in the household, a neighbor or close friend, your clergy, and of course your mother- she'll want to know if you had on clean underwear.

Related Articles: A Tip a Day Four Main Areas of Emergency Preparedness Preparing for a Trip to the Emergency Room

Learn more about Alison Palmer

Writing is Alison's favorite past time, but you can also frequently find her reading, playing piano, cooking, taking long walks, sewing, or playing with her family.

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