Of all the items in your wallet, the most valuable could be a simple piece of paper that lists your prescriptions and medical history.
Listing this information on a wallet card and carrying it with you at all times could save your life in a medical emergency, according to the Pennsylvania Medical Society. That’s why the Medical Society and its member physicians are providing a complimentary medical history wallet card (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) to consumers throughout Pennsylvania.
“If you’re rushed by ambulance to a trauma center following an accident, doctors won’t know what medications you’re using, and you might not be in any condition to tell them,” says Daniel J. Glunk, MD, Medical Society president and an internist in Williamsport.
“Having that vital information in your wallet for health care personnel to find when searching for identification will assist them in administering the correct treatment without delay,” he adds.
The name of the drugs, dosages, and prescribing doctor should appear on the card. So should a history of allergies, chronic diseases, and major surgeries. Also include over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
You also can show the card to a doctor or dentist during a routine appointment, like when they ask what medications you are taking.
“The card bridges the gap in transferring information from one medical caregiver to another,” says Dr. Glunk. “It facilitates a smooth flow of health information.”
While he recommends medical history cards for everyone, Dr. Glunk says older people in particular should carry one, since they’re more likely to be taking several medications. Also, parents ought to compile a card for each child, recording chronic medical problems and immunizations as well.
Keep your card up-to-date, and ask your family doctor to review your card during regular checkups.
The best place for the card is in your wallet, along with your driver’s license and other personal identification. You’ll always know where it is, and it’s the first place emergency medical personnel are likely to look when seeking an unconscious patient’s identity. Make sure your name is clearly indicated on the cover of the card, and insert it into a photo window to give it added visibility.
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