While most refrigerators are “decorated” with pictures of kids and grandkids, interesting articles and sticky note reminders of important appointments, there’s one thing residents can put on their most-used appliance that will ensure they get the best possible treatment in a medical emergency.
The Grundy County Ambulance is distributing the “File of Life” packets that can be placed on the refrigerator to help EMS quickly obtain essential information in an emergency.
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The Grundy County Ambulance Service is providing a new tool, the “File of Life,” that contains important information that can be accessed when EMS responds to a medical emergency – especially if the patient is unable to share essential medical information.
“Sometimes people aren’t able to tell us anything because they aren’t conscious or because they can’t remember,” said Grundy County Ambulance Director Steve Tracy.
The small, magnetic file contains a paper that provides space for the name, primary care provider, preferred hospital, emergency contacts, medical data such as special conditions, current medications, pharmacy, blood type, recent surgery information, a checklist of medical conditions and allergies. The file also asks for information concerning health care directives and insurance provider. The insurance information, Tracy said, is the least important.
“That part of it is the least important,” Tracy said. “Sometimes we respond and we don’t even know the patient’s name and they can’t tell us and there’s no one else there who can tell us. As we’re transporting to the hospital, we want to be able to give the hospital a name, date of birth, allergies, medications they’re taking and their past medical history, if we can. This information helps us determine for instance, if they have an allergy to something or a medical condition that we need to be aware of.”
Tracy said it’s important for those filling out the form to use a pencil because information such as medications and recent surgeries can change. It’s also important for the person to place the sticker provided with the file on their front door so EMS responders will know to immediately look for the file on the refrigerator.
Distribution of the files is under way and Tracy said they are available on the county’s ambulances so if the public sees an ambulance out they can feel free to ask for one. They can also be obtained at the Grundy County Ambulance Service at the intersection of Oklahoma Avenue and Harris Avenue. A limited number of the files can also be obtained in the Grundy County Clerk’s Office, located on the second floor of the courthouse and at the Republican-Times office, located at 122 E. Eighth St.