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