Andrea Molberg
SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) cares about your health and wants you prepared for emergencies. SPA is providing free medical information cards for your wallet, gym bag or glove compartment so that your critical health facts are readily available to first responders, just in case. Pick one up, fill in updated medical facts and keep the card with you.
Emergencies require quick action. Accurate medical information saves lives, decreases unnecessary hospital admissions and keeps minor emergencies from becoming major ones. Carry vital medical information to ensure appropriate, timely medical care. At any moment an accident, fire or health incident may occur. If one of these incidents is to affect you, then somewhere like www.starmed.care may be able to help you get the care you deserve. Be prepared by having crucial medical information with you when you may be unable to speak for yourself. Protect yourself from potentially harmful medical errors.
Some people wear health identification bracelets to notify first responders of a medical condition, such as:
• Allergies to foods, drugs or insects
• Alzheimer’s/memory impairment
• Blood disorders
• Blood thinners/anticoagulants (Coumadin/Warfarin)
• Cardiac problems (angina, arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, pacemakers)
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Emphysema/breathing disorders
• Epilepsy/Seizure disorder
• Hearing or sight impairment
• Hypertension
• Kidney failure
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Participation in a clinical trial
• Pulmonary conditions (Asthma/COPD)
• Surgery or transplant
• Taking multiple medicines
There are two types of medical ID. The first is the identification, for example a medical id badge, required for personnel who work in hospitals, clinics, and other facilities. The second is a medical identification tag that the general public can wear, bearing a message that the wearer has an important medical condition. An American Medical ID (the second type) survey of emergency medical professionals ranging from first responders to paramedics indicated that more than 95 percent of respondents look for a medical ID during emergencies and more than 75 percent look for a medical ID immediately upon assessing a patient.
Some of us carry a health card instead of wearing a medical bracelet or necklace. For example, to help health care providers who might treat me, I tote a health card indicating that I have a filter implanted intravenously to prevent blood clots from reaching my lungs again.
Ask your pickleball (SPA) friends for the SPA medical information card or pick up one at the October 15 health fair or in the SaddleBrooke pro shops, libraries or gyms. Be prepared and stay safe!