The Times Union
Copyright 2007 The Hearst Corporation
All Rights Reserved
GUILDERLAND, N.Y. — The Western Turnpike Rescue Squad has been working with Capital Region seniors to promote use of an easy-to-access document that can help rescue personnel treat patients in health-related emergencies.
Members of the squad began visiting senior communities late last year to distribute File of Life packets and help seniors fill them out.
The File of Life card enables EMTs to obtain a quick medical history when a patient is unable to offer one. It also eliminates the chance of mistakes if a patient forgets to mention something important to the trained EMTs.
The card, which is kept in a red plastic pocket labeled File of Life, lists the patient name, emergency medical contact, insurance policy, social security number, health problems, medications, dosages, allergies, recent surgery, religion and a health care proxy. The entire pocket is held with a magnet to the outside of the refrigerator.
“As we arrive on scene of a medical emergency involving a senior, the patient could be scared, confused or even unconscious, and our EMTs have little information to go on,” said Howard E. Huth III, Western Turnpike’s chief of operations. “Does he have any existing conditions? Is he taking any medications? Does he have allergies?”
The File of Life idea originated in Bridgeport, Conn., in a slightly different form known as the Vial of Life, which was kept inside the refrigerator. But there were problems with the vial. For example, the small piece of paper inside the vial, which contained the medical information, often absorbed moisture, making the information unreadable.
The vial was also frequently lost among other items in the refrigerator, officials said.
Western Turnpike is a 67-year-old volunteer ambulance service that provides 24-hour emergency medical service to the residents of the town of Guilderland and those in the North Bethlehem Fire District.