A Medical Information Card Can Save Your Life in an Emergency

Of all the items in your wallet, the most valuable*Date of Birth and Blood Type
could be the Medical Information Card that lists*Three emergency (3) contacts with their phone
your prescriptions and medical history. Listing thisnumbers
information on a card that you carry in your*Primary Physicians (2) names and phone
wallet could save your life in a medical emergency.numbers
If you are away from your medical records or*Medical Condition/History (Use this to describe
doctor, in an accident, the information provided onany operations, implants, etc.)
the card is invaluable during what is called "The*Medicines (Includes dosage and times per day)
Golden Hour".*Allergies (This can be critical information in an ER)
What is the Golden Hour?*Date Issued (Card should always be kept up to
The "Golden Hour" is a brief window of time indate)
which the lives of a majority of critically injured*Photo (This is Optional, but what better way to
trauma patients can be saved, if definitivemake sure the card goes with the person?)
treatment is provided. The Golden Hour is 60It is also recommended that older people in
minutes from the moment of injury, to call 911,particular should carry a medical information card,
dispatch an ambulance, transport the victim to asince they'll be the ones most likely taking several
trauma center, and perform the necessary,medications. Also, parents ought to compile a card
life-saving intervention. Which means trauma isfor each child, recording chronic medical problems
"time sensitive", and there is no time to waste.and medications.
Trying to locate a relative or your medicalAdditionally, the card should be kept up to date,
records can use up that critical hour where a lifeparticularly when medications or dosages change,
is in the balance. This is when a medicalyou move or change doctors. The best place to
information card can give First Responders orcarry your card is in your wallet next to your
Emergency Room Personnel the information theydriver's license or other personal information. In an
need to treat you.emergency, your wallet is typically the first place
Information that is typically included on a medicalsomeone will go for information when seeking
information card will be:information on an unconscious patient.
*Name and Address