| Who needs to keep their information available | | | | other antibiotics are all conditions that |
| and updated? | | | | should be brought to the attention of |
| | | | emergency personnel. Additionally, many of us |
| Actually, all of us should but very few do. | | | | are reasonably health but getting older (36 |
| However for those at risk, such as seniors, | | | | million people age 65 and over) and our list |
| people with chronic illness, serious | | | | of medications continue to grow with the |
| allergies or medication complications, | | | | years. With over 110 million emergency room |
| special needs children and anyone traveling | | | | visits a year, your emergency information may |
| away from home it is something that should | | | | actually be the most important information of |
| not be overlooked. Children should also have | | | | your life.What information should be |
| the proper medical information on them at all | | | | maintained? |
| times if they have a medical condition or | | | | |
| serious allergy."In a medical emergency, you | | | | Here are just some of the things recommended |
| might be unconscious or unable to speak for | | | | by Edward Stettner, MD, Assistant Professor |
| yourself," said Alfred Sacchetti, MD, of the | | | | of Emergency Medicine, Emory University |
| American College of Emergency Physicians | | | | Atlanta, GA and other healthcare |
| (ACEP). "That's why it's so important to make | | | | professionals.Medical history - Chronic |
| sure that medical personnel have access to | | | | medical conditionsMedications - Including |
| your medical history, as well as relevant | | | | over-the-counterAllergies - Medications and |
| contact information. For example, knowing | | | | foodsSurgical history - Include the date, |
| what medications you are taking could prevent | | | | hospital and surgeonPrivate physician - |
| severe drug interactions, and knowing what | | | | Include primary care as well as |
| allergies you have could prevent serious | | | | specialistsEmergency contacts - Multiple |
| reactions."Millions of Americans have medical | | | | contacts with alternate numbersMiscellaneous |
| conditions which should be immediately known | | | | - Include advance directives, specific |
| to Emergency Personnel. | | | | dietary needs, or any other important |
| | | | information.How can you keep your information |
| Diabetes (over 13 million), diagnosed heart | | | | available and up to date? |
| disease (23 million), alzheimers, transplant | | | | |
| surgery, patient's currently on blood | | | | Today you have many options that allow you |
| thinners such as Coumadin, epilepsy, asthma, | | | | to have your emergency information available. |
| severe allergies, cancer patients and | | | | Which one you choose should be based on your |
| medication allergies such as penicillin and | | | | personal needs and risk factors. |