Life Saving Medication Form

In an emergency, a piece of paper could save your life. It's a list of the medications you are currently taking. As Kathy Bishop found out, when her dad went to the hospital for a stroke the medicine in your body determines what the doctors treat you with and how fast. Bishop says, "We get to the emergency room and they are asking all the questions about the medication and my mom didn't know and my dad couldn't communicate."

By: | News Channel 7
Published: January 23, 2009

Bishop says, "We get to the emergency room and they are asking all the questions about the medication and my mom didn't know and my dad couldn't communicate."

She says her dad was on numerous medications that could have caused big problems if the doctors weren't aware they were in his system. Since her parents are elderly, she had already made a list for her mother.

Bishop says, "So I said mother do you have universal medication form. Oh yes I have it right here in my pocketbook."

AnMed Health's pharmacy manager Patricia White created the form they give out at hospitals around the state. She says knowing your medication can mean a difference in life and death.

According to White, "They need to make sure they don't duplicate the same meds because if they write something very similar that could even have a different name then you might have an overdose and it could be lethal so really the form can be life saving."

White says you should keep the form in your wallet at all times because you never know what state you'll be in when you need it most.

White says, "You have to remember the names the dosage and how often you take the med and if you have the list you have it right there and it is so much easier."

She says make sure you include over the counter medicine as well as herbal remedies.
As for Kathy Bishop she says she's seen first hand how important being prepared can be when it comes to relaying critical information in an emergency.
White says no matter how many medications you are on, even if it is just one, it is important for doctors to be able to know that information quickly. She says it is best to fill out the paper and keep it in your wallet with your insurance card. Click on this link if you would like a copy of the form for yourself. It can also be found at hospitals and pharmacies around the state.