Emergency Medical Services Love H.A.M

H.A.M is an acronym for history, allergies, and medication and is helpful information for responding EMS personnel when they are trying to assess and manage medical emergencies. Although it is not always available depending on the circumstances, all to often it should be available and is not.

If you or a family member is taking medications and has a history of medical problems, it is imperative that measures are taken to ensure EMS personnel are able to access important medical information in the event of an emergency. For example: Sometimes a family member is disoriented or unconscious and those who live in the home and make the emergency call can’t remember everything about their medical history. In this type of situation their medications can tell some of their story. If the medications are spread all over the house, this certainly would make it more difficult to get accurate information from those who are unsure of the medical history of a friend or loved one. Try keeping them all together in a location that is easy to access.

Medical history forms are also very effective. They can be kept in a wallet or purse and for easy access. Some organizations like Positive Promotions, have products like the “File of Life” form. These forms are already pre-printed and come with refrigerator magnets so they can be quickly accessed in emergencies and do not have to be searched for. The medical history of someone who is in critical condition can make the difference between life and death. The absence of this information limits the effectiveness of EMS personnel if they are missing pieces of the puzzle.

Medical history forms need to be updated often to reflect any current changes in medical conditions, recent surgeries, and a list of medication and allergies. These forms should also include insurance information and primary physician information. Medical bracelets are often worn by people who have medical conditions for the very same reason. Although these bracelets sometimes include only a fraction of the patient’s information, they are important and should include the most important details given the presenting format.

Prevention plays a significant role in the effectiveness of responding to emergencies. Training and preparation are part of the overall plan of action and is many times the key to a positive outcome. In contrast, lack of education and preparation are many times the very cause of life threatening emergencies. Although emergencies are a part of life, you can decrease your chances of falling victim to unnecessary circumstances that could threaten your life and of the lives of those by being prepared and practicing prevention. H.A.M is indeed good for all of us, and EMS providers as well as emergency departments love it.

Michael Morales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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