1. WALLET CARDS
Emergency Medical ID Card – Fill out and update the form online for this one. The information is stored on YOUR computer only. This is similar to the form I used for my mother, later for Wheels and still use for myself. You have to be a little creative in adding information as the number of medications increase – hint: the fields provided are “suggestions”.
Red Cross Emergency contact Card Handwrite medications on back before folding.
One for me and one for you, you and you:
Pink Trifold Wallet Card
2. PHONE APPS
- If you are a CVS customer, you can set up an online account for each member of your family to include not only prescriptions, but other medical records as well. Walgreens has a similar program called my Walgreens Health Access. If you don’t shop at either of those two stores, ask at your pharmacy to see if they have a similar feature available for you.
- Search your phone’s Store to see what stand alone apps are available. Healow and Teledoc are two that will allow you to store medical records on your phone and share them with providers. Check to see if the one you choose requires a subscription before signing up.
3. CARRY A MEDICAL ID THAT CONNECTS TO ONLINE INFORMATION WITH A QR CODE
A QR code on a wallet sized card allows medical personnel to access your information with a quick scan. The QR code then links to a web service with your emergency information. Also available are medical bracelets, watch band “sleeves”, dogtags or other medical medallions with QR code. The codes are unique to you and will access only your medical records. Access occurs in one of three ways: 1. Scan the QR code with any QR scanner app or an iPhone camera to read the information 2. Call the phone number revealed by the scan to speak with a live person that can relay life-saving information 3. Visit the secure website revealed by the scan and enter the product’s unique ID and PIN to access your profile.
4. WEAR A MEDICAL ID THAT CONTAINS A MEMORY STICK
USB flash drives are concealed in bracelets or necklaces marked to alert medical personnel to their existence. All your medical information is available as soon as the memory stick is connected to a computer. These also come in a clip style for carrying on a key chain or can be made to snap in a plastic wallet sized card.
5. OLD SCHOOL – PAPER
Sometimes this is best! Fill out a form and put it – folded or unfolded – in your bag! Or glove compartment. Or pocket. This one can be printed as often as needed, updated and filled out by hand. Keep a hard copy of the template to update your medication regularly.
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Whatever method or template you use for medical information, it must have your personal information. This should include dedicated spaces for your name, date of birth, phone number, and physical address. Some forms also include spaces for your medical insurance information. This information associates the list with you and provide crucial information to your healthcare provider, especially during an emergency.
It is best to have a copy in your wallet, handbag, briefcase, or an accessible location like your car. In case of an accident, information can easily be located if you are unable to communicate. You can also leave a copy of the list with a family member, a relative, or a close friend and note their phone number on the list as a contact.
Be sure to update your medication list after every change of any kind – dosage, add a medication, drop another – any change. If a medication is stopped by an adverse reaction be sure to note that on the new form. Add the date so you know which one is current. Destroy out of date forms. If you want to keep a record for some reason, mark the old one by drawing a line across it or something to indicate it is not the one being used.
It is advisable to share your list with all of your healthcare providers, especially if there have been modifications since your last visit. They can review the list and note the impacts of the medication in order to adjust your dosage. Your healthcare providers will likely not share health records with other doctors. This fact shocked me, because,— you know– computers.* Doctors don’t have the time to sift through the records, decode the different ways different offices input information or anything else. In my experience hospitals are usually better at this – thanks, nurses!
Most healthcare providers now require patients to bring a comprehensive medication list to all appointments. Always bring your list to your healthcare providers, even if not required. This information is used to evaluate progress or to modify treatment. And it is the only way to be sure that all medications are being considered every time, especially if seeing multiple practitioners.
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* See this post by Wanda Cantrell for an explanation of WHY doctors and other medical professionals cannot see all of a specific patient’s medical records. Wish I had known this earlier!!