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[oldmom]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to carry my medical history and have heard of a number of different ways. Where do emergency personnel look if I'm not capable of telling them info? MedicalAlert sells a flash drive, but I'm not sure if hospitals are all capable of downloading the info. Besides it won't help first responders unless they are carrying laptops these days. I was thinking about getting a Vial of Life from the RC and carrying it. Or is my PDA a better place for it? It has a medical program that I store information in. I'm open for suggestions.

[emtpej]

I wouldn't rummage around in someone's PDA. Vial of Life (or similar) sounds good to me. A medic-alert bracelet (and necklace) could list the most important and then refer to a wallet card. More and more EMS units have laptops, the ED surely would. An EMS unit may or may not be able to use a flash drive due to security of their (and your) data.
Hope this helps!
I know there are many other PassPorters that are healthcare providers, I am sure someone can be more helpful than I am.

[oldmom]

thanks. I wear a MediAlert bracelet. Their web site makes the flash drive sound like the most wonderful thing in the world and a real life saver. But if it requires special software to read the files, it is useless.

[Caldercup]

Actually, most emergency medical professionals are accustomed to checking for a "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) listing on people's cell phone. You could list that info at the very least.

You might consider posting this in "Your Special Needs" -- you'll probably get more responses that way.

Good luck!
Eileen

[oldmom]

Sorry, I'm missing where the "your special needs" forum is. Point me in the right direction, please.

Just put ICE in the directory? sounds do-able.

[Caldercup]

It's in the "General Trip Planning section"

Here's a link right to it: Vacationing Your Way: Your Special Needs - PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums

Originally Posted by oldmom

Just put ICE in the directory? sounds do-able.

In your cell phone's address book, just make an entry with the name "ICE" - then put in the phone number of your contact person. Emergency personnel will look for an ICE listing and will call that to get a hold of someone who could help -- especially if you're wearing a medical alert bracelet.

Good luck - I hope the other forum can help!
Eileen

[oldmom]

Thanks!

[dsruton]

As a EMT First Responder since 1985 the "ICE" has been a good idea, but we have always ask for health unfo from your friends and family. Also a medcation list has about always been found in patients wallet or purse. Either way, please make sure it is as complete as possible. We do our best to let the hospital know all of the information we can.

[TheMadonna3]

I can probably answer your question as I have experience in the field. Should you become incapacitated then first responders are only concerned with ABC's. Airway, breathing, and circulation. We make sure you have an established airway. To do that, we make sure the trachea is in line and not deviated. We check to see if you are breathing. We check to see if your heart is beating. If any of the above are in jeopardy, we correct it immediately. For example, if you aren't breathing, I establish an airway and then breathe for you. If your heart isn't beating after I have an airway, I will attempt to resuscitate you. There are drugs that I use to help this process. These drugs are used almost always and current medical conditions do not apply.

If the ABC's are in check, I then will look to take a SAMPLE history. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent Past History, Last Oral Intake, Events Leading to Injury or Illness (brief medical history). If you cannot provide this to me I will check you to find this information, such as a medic alert bracelet or card. If I cannot find this, I ask people around you what happened. If no one saw you, then I stabilize you and get you to a hospital. Stabilize means I keep you breathing and keep your heart beating.

We do not treat in the field unless the ABC's are jeopardized. Things that would jeopardize this would be diabetes or allergic reaction as examples. If you become unstable I keep you breathing and your heart beating.

When I get you to a hospital I tell them what I know. They will continue to stabilize you until they can find someone through your phone or other resources to answer questions about your past history. If you have a card that has your physician's name on it then they will contact that person to get what information they need about you. Carrying your medical information is not necessary as they can get whatever they need faxed or e-mailed.

If you have a condition where you are prone to emergencies such as diabetes or heart problems, or allergic reactions for example, then keep something on you to tell me this is a known problem. I "wake up" many a diabetic who has become unresponsive by simply running a dextrose drip. They most always have something to tell me they are diabetic so I know to go right for that.

Disney keeps trained medical personnel and they know how to handle emergencies and Florida has some great trauma centers nearby. If you have something I need to know in an emergency, keep it some place I will look. I will look on your neck for a chain, your wrist for a bracelet, your ankle for a bracelet and then your wallet so I can ID you. And no, we do not perform wallet "biopsies"

I hope I helped and not scared the crap out of you. PM me if you have any more questions. I can't give you medical advice relating to your specific condition or situation, but I can tell you how general emergencies are handled. Just to let you know, there have been very few emergencies and I do mean few where I couldn't get some kind of pertinent medical information.

[oldmom]

Stupid question--ICE in the directory where I put phone numbers? Or does it go somewhere else? I will have a card in the wallet. In an emergency I'm not sure my family will remember anything, it's always been my job to remember everything about them. BF isn't good in a crisis in those regards. He is the world's sweetest, nicest, most loveable man, but an asthma attack scares him silly.

[TheMadonna3]

Yes, just put it like you were entering a friend, except your friend's name is ICE

[oldmom]

No problem scaring me. I worked on the surgery floor in a hospital for 10 years, but that was ages ago and so much has changed. I have the bracelet (it needs the engraving "freshened" up so it is clearer and I have the wallet card so it sounds like things are good. MediAlert's ad made me feel like I wasn't doing enough.

[TheMadonna3]

If you are having an asthma attack then we can nebulize you and we have that steroid that does funny things to your "nether regions". If you've ever had an attack, then you know what I am talking about.

Keep your inhaler with you at all times. The first thing an EMT will do is attempt to help administer your inhaler. It's that whole ABC's thing.

Also, it's not like you'd pass out immediately from an asthma attack. There is some time there to verbalize you have asthma or chuck your inhaler at your boyfriends head. If I show up and he gives me that then I know what the problem is.

Just be comfortable that Disney is very capable of handling emergencies. There are people who visit Disney every day with some critical health crisis. Don't get me wrong, do what you can to help us out, but I'm sure all will be great.

By the way, what time of year are you visiting?

[TheMadonna3]

I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to talk to you like an idiot or anything. I know that people with chronic illness can probably tell RN's or MD's a thing or two about the condition. Before being struck with MS, this was my passion and I get all excited.

[emtpej]

Oldmom,
can you post the link to the flash drive you are speaking of? I would like to see it.
Unless it is medic tag, I found that one.
thanks!