Keep Vital Information on Fridge and in Wallet

One never knows when a critical health event may occur. In the event you cannot communicate your medical information, having a one-page summary on the fridge for EMS or in your wallet or purse can enable first responders to be more effective.

Posted 11:59 a.m. Oct 7, 2020 — Updated 11:59 a.m. Oct 7, 2020

Liisa Ogburn

What if there’s an emergency and your senior parent is unable to speak for her or himself?

Whether an emergency health event happens at home or while out shopping or on a walk, having a one-page summary of vital information can enable first responders to be more effective. It can also help ensure loved ones are contacted.

While we all like to assume this information is not relevant to us, most of us can think of a friend or relative who has been unexpectedly affected by a fall, a stroke, cardiac arrest, COVID or cognitive impairment.

In the last twelve months, I have been called half a dozen times to meet a client at the hospital or a police station because I was listed as one of the contacts on their one-page sheet. In all six cases, family members were called first, but didn’t pick up. And while during COVID restrictions, I was not able to enter the ER to see my client, I was able to communicate with staff and then convey updates to the out-of-state adult child who was on the way.

This single sheet of paper should be in an envelope marked “EMS”on the refrigerator. This is the first place EMS will look. Individuals should also keep this one-page summary in their wallet or pocket book.

What should be on this single sheet?

Name
Birth date
Current medications
Primary care physician name and phone number, as well as any critical specialists
Critical health details (This need not be extensive, but should include, for example, whether you have a pacemaker, have had a stroke in the past, if there is cognitive impairment, etc.)
Emergency contacts (I recommend you include at least two local contacts, in the event the first is unreachable.)

For those who have completed a DNR and MOST form with their physician, it is important to keep a copy of this on the fridge, as well as on your person, too.

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