Using a Vial of Life program to respond to life-threatening emergencies
Abstract
Having ready access to medical and health information can often make a difference in an emergency situation, especially for aging or frail seniors. Several Senior Corps Programs help implement "Vial of Life" practices so that emergency medical services personnel can easily read important medical information about a person on the spot. Jim O'Connell shared this effective practice on the NSSCTalk e-mail discussion list in March 2003.Issue
In times of emergency, having access to medical records can sometimes make a difference between life and death. If a patient is unconscious or is otherwise rendered unable to offer medical history, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel must rely on other means of acquiring this crucial information.Action
Having a "vial," or packet of information in a handy pre-designated place that emergency medical services personnel can easily access can be essential in providing more effective emergency care. According to the Program Director of Flagler County RSVP, effective practices include:- A fact sheet about the participant that identifies medications taken, allergies to medications, contact information for next of kin, and primary care doctor information.
- A vial with this information is kept in the refrigerator, car glove box and with the senior's personal affects.
- To identify a participant of the program, a star sticker, is placed on the front door of the home and on the refrigerator, and another star is placed on the rearview mirror of the car.
- Vials are given out during senior volunteer recognition events and at the two senior centers in the county.
- Volunteers with the Foster Grandparent Program sat down with other Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers to make sure they asked for all pertinent information on the medical form.
- Seniors received a zip-locked bag with their pertinent medical information - medications taken, allergies to medication, and emergency contact information - both next of kin and primary care doctor, as well as instructions to keep the packet in their refrigerator.
- An orange sticker is attached to both the packet and the refrigerator, alerting all first responders and EMS personnel that the document is available.
One program in Indiana considers this project part of their homeland security initiative and has received Programs of National Significance (PNS) funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service as a result.
Another similar safety program is called "Blue Light." For five dollars seniors are provided with a flashing blue light bulb that can be put in their window and visible from the road in case of an emergency, so responding personnel can locate the house easier at night.
Note: Many of these programs exist nationwide, oftentimes called, "File of Life" instead of "Vial of Life."
Context
- Flagler County, located between Daytona and Saint Augustine, Florida is a small county of about 55,000 people. Forty-five percent of the population is over 55 years of age.
- Flagler County has had a Vial of Life program in place since 1997 that began with funding from both the Florida Power and Light Consumer Services Department and the local Sheriff's Department. The program is now a function of the Florida Hospital auxiliary group.
- Flagler County distributed about 350 of these files at a recognition event in April 2003.
- Other similar programs are ongoing in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
Outcome
- The responding EMS personnel will be able to provide better, faster and safer service to an unconscious person.
- Seniors feel more secure knowing that in the event of a medical crisis, emergency response teams and other medical staff will have easy access to this crucial information.
Evidence
- According to the Project Director for Flagler County RSVP, emergency response providers have indicated that this program is very helpful to them.
- According to the Project Director of the Livingston County, New York, Foster Grandparent Program, The Blue Light Project has saved the lives of many senior citizens who live in rural areas.
Posted On
August 6, 2003For More Information
Resources
NSSCTalk is an e-mail discussion group, created primarily for the participants in the National Senior Service Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Anyone with related concerns, however, is invited to join in.To subscribe by e-mail, send a blank message to join-nssctalk@lists.etr.org
Or subscribe via the Lyris Listmanager web page at http://lists.etr.org/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=nssctalk/.