Emergency health information: Keep your personal and family records within reach

When an emergency happens, whether it's a heart attack or a hurricane, healthcare professionals need to be able to find health information quickly for anyone who needs help.

Although you can't predict emergencies, you can prepare. Keep your key health information updated, accurate and easy to find.

You can store your health information in a personal health record or an online patient portal. You also can share it with your healthcare professional and others you choose. An online patient portal is a secure electronic health information app or website that lets you view your health information and share it with people you allow. Many healthcare organizations offer online patient portals. Insurance companies, pharmacies and employers may offer other secure online tools that show some of your health information.

If you have children, share medical consent forms and health information with caregivers such as daycare or school staff. In an emergency, you may not be available to share needed details or give consent.

Make sure that your emergency health information, wherever you keep it, includes:

• Your name and date of birth.
• Your address.
• An accurate and current list of prescription medicines, doses and schedules.
• Any medical equipment or devices you use.
• Chronic medical conditions, such as epilepsy.
• Medical consent forms, which may include advance directives or consent forms for dependents.
• Health history details that may be helpful to healthcare teams, such as allergies and immunizations.
• Professional emergency contacts, such as your primary healthcare professional, local emergency services, a pharmacy and poison control.
• A personal emergency contact, such as a friend or family member who you've asked to serve in this role.

Most people store personal health information digitally using an app, online portal or website. This method lets you access your information from a computer, tablet or smartphone whenever you have internet access. Some tools also let you share information with your healthcare team, family members or emergency contact. Make sure your information can be found quickly in an emergency or if you're not able to communicate.

Two online options for storing your information online include:

• Online patient portals. Many healthcare organizations offer patient portals.
• Personal health records. These may be free or available by subscription. A personal health record includes key health information that you manage, and you decide who can access it. It's different from the electronic health record kept by your healthcare professional.

Less commonly, health information may be stored in other ways, including:

• Portable digital device. Save a copy of your information on your smartphone or other device you keep with you.
• Print versions. If you keep print copies, store them in easy-to-reach places, such as in your wallet, purse or car.