Home Medical Records Overview It's a good idea to keep all your family's medical records in one place in your home. A 3-ring binder or wire-bound notebook with dividers for each member of the family is helpful. Each person's section should have a cover sheet listing: - Diagnosed chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure).
- Any known allergies to drugs, foods, or insects.
- Information that would be vital in an emergency, such as whether the person has a pacemaker or a hearing aid, has diabetes or epilepsy, or has impaired hearing or vision.
- Name and phone number of primary doctor.
You may also want to include: - An up-to-date list of medications that includes each medication's name, purpose, dose, and instructions, the name of doctor who prescribed it, and the date it was prescribed.
- An immunization record with dates of childhood immunizations, tetanus boosters, flu shots, and pneumococcal vaccine.
- Health screening results for blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, and hearing.
- Results from cancer screenings, such as Pap tests, mammograms, colonoscopy, and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests.
- Records of major illnesses and injuries, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and broken bones.
- Records of any major surgical procedures and hospitalizations.
- A list of major diseases in your family, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes.
- A copy of advance directives, such as the person's living will and medical power of attorney.
language=JavaScript type=text/javascript> selectNextArticle('NextTopicPulldown',s_furl); </SCRIPT> WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise Last Updated: May 19, 2006 This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. © 1995-2006, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. All Rights Reserved. |