Your Home Health Centre

Your home health centre is a good place to keep your family's medical records. A 3-ring binder or wire-bound notebook with dividers for each member of the family is helpful. Each person should have a cover sheet listing:

• Diagnosed chronic conditions (arthritis, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.).

• 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 is deaf or blind.

• Name and phone number of primary doctor.

Other important information that should be included:

• An up-to-date list of medications that includes name of drug, purpose, dose, instructions, name of doctor who prescribed the drug, and date prescribed.

• Immunization records: childhood immunizations, tetanus, influenza, and pneumonia.

• Health screening results: blood pressure, cholesterol, vision, hearing.

• Records of major illnesses and injuries, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and broken bones.

• Records of any major surgical procedures and hospitalizations.

• Records listing major diseases in members of your family: heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes.

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