To have your medical information available in case of an emergency, you can set up a Medical ID on your Apple iOS 8 iPhone. With this new feature, you can upload emergency contacts and health information, such as birthdate, height, weight, and even blood type! If you have an iPhone you need set up your Medical ID right away… It could save your life. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Health app. It’s the app with a red heart in a white square.
2. Tap on Medical ID, found in the bottom right corner.
3. Click on Edit
4. Make sure Emergency Access, found at the top, is enabled. You know it is enabled with the bar is green. This allows friends, medical responders, and others to view your Medical ID when the iPhone is locked.
5. Enter your name, date of birth, and any medical conditions, allergies, and medications you are taking.
6. Include at least 3 emergency contacts in case of emergency. You can pull these right from your contacts list, which makes it really convenient.
7. ADD YOUR BLOOD TYPE. If you don’t know it, it’s time to find out! Call and make an appointment with one of our award-winning doctors. We will help you!
8. If you are an organ donor, you should mark so in the app as well.
9. Add your weight and height into the app. These are important details for doctors in emergencies. Doctors factor your height and weight when determining medical doses.
10. Last but not least, insert a photo of you. This can be used to identify you correctly, so make sure it’s up-to-date.
It is important to recognize that technology is not always the most reliable means of communication and information, so it would be a good idea to carry this same information on you with another means. Many people opt to Medical ID tags or cards they can carry in their wallet or purse.
As said by the great H. Jackson Brown, Jr., “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” So be prepared for a medical emergency by setting up your Medical ID right away!
If you need medical assistance, call our office. We’d love to help!