Planning for a medical emergency with your organiser.

Recently I had an unexpected stay in a nearby hospital, not unpleasant by any means, but just unexpected. In fact it was only my third ever stay in a hospital, and the longest as far as I'm aware. My previous hospital stay was back when I was only seventeen! Yes, decades ago.

Add in the fact that this was a French hospital and because of COVID-19 I was on my own, it tested my French language skills quite a bit!.

I quickly realised that without my smart phone to hand, I was lacking certain key information, I eventually did get my phone and my bag etc back again several hours later and I started making notes of the information I couldn't remember when asked by the Doctors and information that would have been useful to have with me in future, so I wouldn't have to attempt to commit it to memory.

So I would assume that I would have to keep this information in the form of a card or a page in my organiser or similar. Depending on how much information you need will decide on what size card/page you use.

Relaxing in the hospital bed all wired up to the heart monitor I came up with the following list:

• My name, date of birth - basically so if it was found they would know who the information on the card/page referred to.
• Partners name and mobile phone number - No matter how hard I tried I could not remember Alison's phone number!
• Current Medication - If you are on regular medication this will help the Doctors, fortunately I had my tablets with me, but I couldn't remember their exact name!
• Brief medical history - I could remember some information, but not what it was called in English let alone in French... I eventually did remember and the Doctor did a quick Google search on his phone! 
• Doctors name and contact details - In case the people treating you need to contact them for more details on recent history. 
• Anything else? - this card/page should be considered to be a live document so it should be reviewed and updated from time to time. 

The card if you can make it say business card/credit card size printed on both sides has the advantage that you could easily carry it in your pocket/wallet all the time. You could also have a page in your organiser holding similar information in more detail.

I've created a simple document for you to download and edit then print out which ever page you want. Cut the page to size and punch it etc. They are all on A4 size but it should work if you resize the page to Letter size.

Download the file here. Card.docx

You can edit the headings to suit yourself.

I hope you never need to use the card/page! Take care and stay healthy.