Medical Information Organizing
Medical information organizing sounds agonizing! Well, really it is not as anguishing as it sounds. Just follow these steps and you will be well on your way to having your health organized in case of an emergency.
- If possible grab an already made health organizer or flash drive to save time.
- Once you do have your health organized, make the most of it!
o Make copies of your medication list and bring it with you to your appointments.
o Bring your questions to your healthcare visits.
o Keep your organizer/flash drive updated.
- Take time to make yourself safe if something should happen.
Medical information you should keep organized.
Important Information – If you do just one thing do this page! Take it with you if you need to go to the emergency room or an acute care center.
Write/type your name, date of birth, health conditions, allergies, surgeries, medications and person to contact in an emergency and any other important information, so that if needed there is a one-page overview of yourself or loved one. Put anything you feel is important in…ANYTHING!!!
Medication – Write/type a list of the medications you are taking, what dose, when you take them and what you take the medication for for. The start date of the medication is also helpful.
Insurance Information – Write/type down your insurance company’s phone number, your group or policy number, address, and anything else pertinent to your insurance. If you have supplemental insurance that should be included as well.
Emergency Numbers – Write/type your important phone numbers, i.e. ICE (in case of emergency) Keep these updated!
Family History - Filling this out might be tedious, but once it is recorded, you will always have it for future reference. Make sure that you keep it updated.
Major Events – A major event can be a broken bone, surgery, or a trip to the urgent care center for any reason. Write/type your major events for easy reference.
Immunizations - Keep track of your last flu, tetanus and all immunizations. Your doctor’s office should still have records.
Appointments – Keep a running list of your appointments, (date, who, why and the results).
Questions & Answers – You know how everyone is telling you what to ask? Now give yourself a place to write/type it out before you get to your appointment. Make sure you get your answers. Write/type these out for reference as well.
Notes – Remember to date your notes.
Feel Charts – These can be headaches records, long illnesses, pain, moods, or even food charts. Remember to date your charts!
Blood Work – Diagnostic Test Results You can ask your healthcare provider for a copy! Highlight dates and anything unusual. The doctor’s office should still have a copy, but it is useful if you are referred to another office to have your own copy. Type the place and information in your flash drive if you are using one and/or place the hard copy results in your health organizer.
Remember this is your information, recorded your way, so that you can understand it.
September is National Preparedness Month sponsored by U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Ready Campaign, please visit ready.gov. Be prepared with your health as well as everything else in your life!
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