Your own medical records
After reading some comments in another thread about copies of medical records, I thought that I would share a couple of things that I have found to be helpful:
1) Scan your advance medical directives/ medical power of attorney/ living will into .pdf files and store copies on your cell phone. In an emergency, you probably won't think to grab a paper power of attorney, but you will have your cell phone. Has "saved the day" for me a couple of times when hospitals had questions about the patient's wishes.
2) Create a simple word document with (a) a list of the person's doctors (with address and phone); (b) a list of medications and dosages; (c) list of allergies; (d) list of surgeries in past 5-10 years, (e) list of hospitalizations; and (f) any significant chronic illnesses. Saves tons of time with new doctors *and* you can print a copy out and carry on trips. (You can also put on your cell phone). Don't forget to update this, especially the medications. Saves a lot of writing as you can just put "see attached" and give them the copy.
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