|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On Thursday, August 27, 1998, a cancer support group that I facilitated for about ten years -- “One Day at a Time” -- had as its guest speaker Dr. James Trone.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Trone was, at the time, Sibley Memorial Hospital’s house physician and was specifically asked to address what information would be most medically useful for emergency room physicians to have available if one of our membership was to need those services. I personally wish to thank Dr. Trone for his time generous and compassionate handling of all the subjects discussed. Those in attendance at this meeting agreed that this was one of the best and most useful meetings the group has ever had.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following is my summary of this meeting’s discussion ...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
· Each individual should prepare a 3” by 5” card.
|
|
|
|
· Make the card as distinctive as possible (color, labeling, etc) so that it can easily be located in your pocketbook, purse, wallet, pants pocket, etc.
|
|
|
|
· Laminate the card if you wish; but that makes it harder to make changes. You will want to keep it up to date.
|
|
|
|
· Keep the card very easy to read and to understand.
|
|
|
|
· Use both sides of the card as needed.
|
|
|
|
· Include at least the following information on the card (other information is optional).
|
|
|
|
- Any special labelling & grapics
|
|
|
- The substance of your living will - be as specific as possible - e.g. no “ventilator”.
|
- Your medical Information - Diagnosis or Diagnoses - be as specific as possible. Have your own physician(s) help you here.
|
- Allergies - particularly drug allergies.
|
- Medication(s) - name(s) of drugs and dosages (including chemotherapy and over-the-counter preparations including alternatives)
|
|
|
- Your doctor(s) name(s) - include telephone number(s)
|
- Next of kin - with telephone number(s)
|
- Medical Insurance Policies (Note: I added this item) - include telephone number(s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sample Emergency Medical Card
|
|
|
|
(Front)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.
|
Name:
|
Thomas Jamison Smith
|
|
|
2.
|
Address:
|
1619 Richvale Lane
|
|
|
|
Houston, TX 34567
|
|
3.
|
Substance of my “Living Will”
|
DNR
|
|
Note: “My living will” and my durable power of attorney are located … Copies have been filed with …
|
|
3
|
Medical Information:
|
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1993.
|
|
4
|
Allergies:
|
Penicillin, Cipro
|
|
|
5.
|
Medications:
|
Prescriptions: _______________________
|
|
|
|
Chemotherapy: _____________________
|
|
|
|
Over-the counter: ____________________
|
|
6.
|
Pharmacy:
|
CVS - 301-423-5678
|
|
|
7.
|
Special Instructions:
|
I have been using the drug ____ for the past six years. I am informed that a supply of this medication should be on hand prior to any surgery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(rear)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.
|
Doctors:
|
Pulmonologist:
|
Dr. Pulma Lunges
|
402-567-8765
|
|
|
|
Internist:
|
Dr. Myrna Stomache
|
301-543-2198
|
|
|
|
Oncologist:
|
Dr.. Fred Infuse
|
202-678-1568
|
|
|
|
Surgeon:
|
Fearless Cutter
|
202-567-6789
|
|
9.
|
Next of Kin:
|
Spouse:
|
Migraine One
|
202-819-3746
|
|
|
|
Brother:
|
_________________
|
202-987-3245
|
|
10
|
Medical Insurance:
|
Primary:
|
The seven State Wonder HMO
|
|
|
|
|
Policy #: _____________
|
|
|
|
|
1-800-MAY-PAY9
|
|
|
|
Secondary:
|
Medicare
|
|
|
|
|
Tertiary:
|
Blue Scabbard of Colorado
|
|
|
|
|
Policy #: _____________
|
|
|
|
|
1-800-SOM-PAYU
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
