Vial of LIFE
If emergency personnel are called to a home, paramedics can access medical data stored in a vial on the top shelf of the refrigerator. The Vial of LIFE provides residents with a blank medical information form, a vial to store the completed form and a sticker to place on the refrigerator to alert personnel that the medical information is located inside. Should you be unable to provide medical information yourself, it will aid emergency personnel and will accompany you to the hospital.
Sometimes knowing about the patient's medical condition can mean a difference between life and death when minutes are precious. Information stored within the vial includes: medications taken, medical history and conditions, physician's name and phone number, insurance information, and relatives who should be notified in an emergency.
Who should use the Vial of LIFE?
The Vial of L.I.F.E. is designed for people with special medical conditions such as, heart conditions, prior stroke, seizures, and respiratory conditions. This is also for people who may have a serious allergy to any medications or have any other life threatening allergies. In an emergency every minute counts. Allergies, medications and medical conditions can all have deadly consequences.
How to use the Vial of LIFE:
- Please complete a Vial of L.I.F.E. form. Be sure to include the date that you completed this form.
- Attach a photograph of yourself to the back page of the form.
- Fold the Vial of L.I.F.E. form and put it inside the Vial of L.I.F.E. container.
- Place the Vial of L.I.F.E. container on the top shelf inside your refrigerator door, closest to the door handle.
- Attach the Vial of L.I.F.E. sticker to the outside top corner of your refrigerator door to alert emergency personnel to the presence of Vial of L.I.F.E. information.
The Stanford University Hospital's Senior Services Program in Palo Alto through Wanna Pitts of the Community United Methodist Church provided the vials to the Coastside Fire Protection District which acts as the distribution agency for the Coastside. The Vial of Life kits are free and available at your local fire district station. They are also available in quantity to groups.
Half Moon Bay:
1191 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA
Phone 650-726-5213
El Granada:
531 Obispo Road
El Granada, CA
Phone 650-726-8291
Moss Beach:
501 Stetson Street
Moss Beach, CA
Phone 650-728-3022
Be sure to update the information in your vial as needed. An additional vial can also be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle. Place the sticker on the outside to indicate to paramedics that it is inside.
