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Where
to Put MedicTag Alert Messages
Now that you have the
MedicTag, tell your family and friends about it. It
can be very reassuring to know your vital personal
emergency information is available if needed.
To get the attention of
emergency responders, place brightly colored labels or
wallet-sized cards in
obvious places such as the following:
In
Your Car
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Behind the vehicle
registration card in the glove compartment of a
vehicle
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Next to or on your
steering wheel
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Taped on a car visor
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Somewhere near the
ignition switch
In
Your Home
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On the refrigerator door
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Taped on inside or
outside door of medicine cabinet
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With important papers
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In your night stand
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With health care
surrogate paperwork
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Near your emergency
telephone number list
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On the telephone
In
Your Wallet
In your wallet, behind
driver's license
Other
Ideas for MedicTag Alert Messages
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Place label on scooter,
wheel chair, walker or other mobility devices
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On or in your luggage
when traveling
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Near the ignition switch
on a boat or other recreational vehicle
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In or on a backpack
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In or on a gym bag
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In or on obvious place on
your office desk
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On your tool box
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On your computer
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On your computer laptop
How
to Make MedicTag Alert Labels
If you want to make your
own labels, we suggest using neon colors. They are
real attention getters! If you want to use our form to
make your own, choose from the selection below. You
can print them out on paper, or use Avery label
products.
Small Labels - (1" x
4"; Avery 5161)
Large Labels - (2" x
4"; Avery 5163)
How to Make MedicTag Alert
Wallet-Sized Cards
If you want to make
your own wallet-sized cards, we suggest using heavy
paper, heavy weight cardstock, or Avery business cards
for durability. Below is a ready-made form to
print. Either cut along the lines when printing
on paper or cardstock, or use Avery 8376.
Wallet-sized Cards
Miscellaneous Information
Ideas
The miscellaneous
section on Medic Tag has lots of space to include
other information. Here are some ideas:
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If you wear hearing
aids, say whether hearing loss is a little, some or
a lot, and be specific about which ear or ears are
affected
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If you have vision
loss, say how much and note the eye or eyes affected
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Pacemaker and model
number, date of implant
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Any medical devices
used in or on the body such as metal used for joint
replacements or repairs, colostomy, implants, or
other medical inserts
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Other languages
spoken such as German, Italian, Spanish, etc.,
especially if accents make it harder for others to
understand
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Whether an organ
donor, if so, any restrictions
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Recent falls or
fractures
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Normal responses to
medications that cause side effects
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Existence of a
living will
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Existence of a DO
NOT RESUCITATE order and the location of the
documents
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Use of mobility
devices such as canes, walkers or wheel chairs.
For specialized equipment, add serial numbers,
manufacturer names, and other vital descriptions
necessary in an emergency.
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If walking is
difficult, include the level of difficulty such as
unable to walk without walker or requires a lot of
assistance to walk, etc.
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Include a picture
for identification purposes or to prove ownership of
pets and other possessions
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Names and contact
information of health care surrogate, attorney,
bankers, insurance agents, other family members,
friends, caregivers
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Normal daily life
abilities such as totally independent, requires some
assistance in daily life, a lot of assistance, or
unable without the help of others
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Family risk factors/medical
history
such as
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both parents died of
bone cancer
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both parents have
diabetes
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3 generations on mother
side has rheumatoid arthritis
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Records of doctor visits
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Any files that have been digitized can be stored on
the MedicTag such as:
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Spiritual affiliation instructions
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Anything of
importance that would tell an emergency responder
how you functioned in your daily life.
Lifestyle Information
Other ideas to include in Miscellaneous Information
If you smoke:
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How many years have you smoked?
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How many packs a day?
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If you are exposed to second hand smoke.
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How long you have been exposed to second hand smoke.
If you quit smoking:
If you drink alcohol:
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How many years have you drunk alcohol?
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How often do you drink?
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How many drinks do you generally drink?
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If you quit drinking, indicate date.
Do you exercise?
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If so, what type of exercise?
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If so, how often?
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If so, how much exercise?
Consider providing the following information:
"I am independent in all
aspects of my daily care" or "I require a lot of
assistance to get my basic daily life activities
done each day."
or
"The last time I saw my primary
care doctor, (write in the doctor's name)
_______________, was _____________. "
or
"The last time I had a preventive
check up with (write in the doctor's name)
_______________was________________."
Testing and Health Screening results such as
the following:
My BMI (body mass indicator) is ______.
My average cholesterol levels are:
_____ HDL
_____ LDL
My average blood pressure reading: _____
My average triglyceride levels: _____
This family emergency plan document was
developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security. This document could be saved on your
MedicTag.
Read
"Emergency Information Form for Children With
Special Health Care Needs" from the American
College of Emergency Physicians.
Read "20
Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors" by the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
If you have other ideas, please email
vmd@medictag911.com
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