Will I have a heart attack today…a stroke…a diabetic coma…a seizure? Most of us never ask this question simply because we cannot answer it. Additionally, most of us would prefer to go about our day without such worry. Asking that question, however, is an important step in moving us toward preparedness for the possibility of some unforeseen medical event.In truth, most of us live, work, and play without a thought to the possibility of a catastrophic medical event. Imagine you are shopping alone in a place distant from your home area and you collapse with a stroke, rendering you disoriented and unable to speak. Far from home, bystanders call paramedics who take you to an unfamiliar hospital. As your treatment begins, paramedics and hospital personnel ask questions, trying to gather more information about you, but are hindered by a lack of background information. Good health care relies on gathering and using information, so the EMT’s search you for identification.
What do you carry that would help paramedics and emergency personnel understand your unique medical background and help further your emergency care? How would hospital personnel learn quickly that you have a loving husband and daughter who know everything about you and who need to be with you in this circumstance? Most of us carry nothing in our wallet aside from a driver’s license that would offer more than our name and address. Do you have any health problems, medications, allergies, emergency contacts, or health care directives? Most of this information is crucial to good care and unlikely to be located in our wallet or purse.
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