St. Joseph's recommends everyone carry medical information

Medical professionals at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese have a suggestion: carry a list of medications, current identification and contact information in your purse or wallet at all times.

Hospital staff are familiar with the following scenario:

Nurse: "Are you on any medications?" Patient: "I'm on blood pressure medicine. I think it begins with a C."

Staff must then try to decide what medication-along with dosage-the patient is taking and cannot rely on guesswork. Contacting the patient's physician or family may not be an option and past medical records may be out-of-date or unavailable.

How helpful it would be if the patient had a current list of medications!

Here is another scenario: An unconscious accident victim is brought into the Emergency Room and staff must provide treatment but have no way of knowing his or her medical history. For example, staff would not know if the victim was on a blood-thinner which could cause excessive bleeding.

How helpful it would be if he or she carried a complete list of current medications, including vitamins, over-the-counter and herbal, with dosage and frequency. This information could be listed on an index card or St. Joseph's in Breese has medication cards available at the hospital Switchboard and in physician offices.

In addition to the medication list, other information listed could include:

Current and past medical problems including chronic diseases, illnesses, hospitalizations or surgeries; Type and dates of immunizations including the last influenza and pneumonia vaccine; Allergies - medical and otherwise - with past reactions; Family medical history; Contact information for physicians, family or friends; For women - childbearing information; For parents - their children's information; and Advance directives such as a living will or healthcare power of attorney.

This information could be listed on a small sheet of paper and carried in a purse or wallet. Listing and retrieval options are also available on the Internet and/or with electronic media.

Medical care can be life-saving but often requires rapid decisions. Carrying a list of medications and/or other medical information is one of the best ways a patient can take an active role in his or her own care.