When a parent falls, has chest pain, or becomes confused, the paramedic who arrives needs answers in seconds — not a tour of the medicine cabinet. An emergency card is one page (wallet-sized, fridge-mounted, or both) with everything a first responder needs to start safe treatment immediately.
Everything a paramedic or ER doctor needs in the first five minutes — nothing more. This isn't a medical history; it's a cheat sheet for emergencies.
Full legal name, date of birth, preferred name if different. This is how the ER looks up existing records in their system.
Drug allergies and the reaction type (rash, anaphylaxis, breathing difficulty). Also note food allergies and latex sensitivity. This is the first thing the ER checks before giving any medication.
Every medication with the dose and frequency. Include blood thinners, heart medications, insulin, and anything that affects treatment decisions. "Takes a blood thinner" is life-or-death information in trauma.
Diabetes, heart failure, dementia, COPD, pacemaker, joint replacement — the big-picture items that change how a paramedic treats symptoms.
At least two contacts with relationship, phone number, and who has healthcare power of attorney. The ER will call — make sure someone answers.
Doctor's name, practice, and phone number. Pharmacy name and phone. The ER may need to call for medication history or send prescriptions.
An emergency card with last year's medications is dangerous. Every time a medication changes — after a hospital stay, after a specialist visit, after a dosage adjustment — the card needs to be updated.
Family Stork generates an emergency card directly from the health record. When a medication changes on the timeline, the emergency card reflects it. Print a new copy after every significant change. The card is always as current as the record — because it's built from the record, not maintained separately.
Note on the card that an advance directive exists and where to find it — but the full document should be kept separately (a wallet card is too small for the legal language). The ER needs the actual signed document to honor it. Talk to your parent's doctor about how to make sure their wishes are accessible in an emergency.
The emergency card becomes even more critical. Add a note: "Patient has dementia — may not be able to provide accurate medical history. Contact [name] at [phone] for health information." This tells the ER team to call family immediately rather than relying on the patient's answers.
There's no universal standard, but the information matters more than the format. Some communities use the "Vial of Life" program (a form in a plastic vial on the fridge). Some use wallet cards. Family Stork generates a printable card formatted for both wallet and fridge — pre-filled from the health record.
Yes — if there's room. Insurance ID number, group number, and the insurer's name help the ER with billing, but they won't delay treatment if it's missing. The medication list and allergies are more urgent. If you call 911, always tell the family to bring the insurance card to the ER separately.
An emergency card that's always current — because it's built from the record, not maintained separately.
$99/year — or about $10 a month.
Start your parent's record — free