Telegram & Gazette (Massachusetts)
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KILLINGLY, Mass. — The Northeast District Department of Health has launched a program designed to provide emergency medical responders with potentially life-saving medical information in the event that a patient is injured or ill at home and is unable to communicate.
“Our Vial of Life program is modeled after thousands like it that exist across the country,” said Linda Colangelo, director of Health Education and Communications for NDDH.
“The kits are designed to be very simple. Just fill out the medical information form, place it in a plastic bag with other important health care documents, and tape it to the front of your refrigerator. Then put one bright red decal on the plastic bag and another on your front door or window. This alerts emergency responders that you are a Vial of Life participant. It’s that easy, and it can literally save your life,” she said.
For proof as to just how effective the program can be, just ask Danielson resident Evelyn Barbeau.
In September, Mrs. Barbeau saw an advertisement for the program and called NDDH to request a Vial of Life kit. The kit arrived on Sept. 21.
Mrs. Barbeau completed the medical information form the next day, posted it on her refrigerator with one of the bright red decals, and put the other decal on her front door.
That Sunday, just three days later, she experienced heart problems and called 911.
“The medics arrived and one of them went straight to the refrigerator to get my medical information,” she explained.
“When I arrived at the hospital, they gave the form to the ER nurse, who in turn gave it to the doctor. After they had made a copy of it, they handed it back to me and said `Make sure you put this right back on your refrigerator when you get home - it’s a very important document’.”
The program can be used by all family members, but it is especially helpful for senior citizens, those living alone, or those who are chronically ill.
“I never thought it would come in handy so quickly,” Mrs. Barbeau said. “In fact, when I got home, I called my daughter and told her that she should request one from the health department too.”
Ms. Colangelo said that the health department has spent the past few weeks getting Vial of Life program information to local fire companies and town halls.
Nearly 1,000 kits have been distributed in the past month.
“We didn’t want the responders who are central to the success of this program to hear about it second-hand,” she said. “In fact, we sought their input when we were designing the medical form to make sure it would include the information that they look for during a medical emergency.”
Quinebaug Valley Emergency Communications quickly posted the program on their Web site and discussion board, which reaches more than 400 local responders.
“The response has been very positive,” Ms. Colangelo said.
“We have received requests for kits from local fire companies, EMS captains have offered to introduce the program at elderly housing sites and senior centers; and local physician’s offices are assisting patients in filling out the forms. It’s just another way for us to all work together to protect public health,” she said.
Patricia Beckenhaupt, NDDH director of health, utilized a similar program years ago when she served as the director of emergency services at a Connecticut community hospital.
“It was a very effective program then and it still is today,” she said.
“The program is off to a very brisk start in Northeastern Connecticut, thanks to the help of so many emergency response partners and other health agencies. One of the functions of public health is to mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems. The Vial of Life fully supports this objective,” Ms. Beckenhaupt said.
NDDH used grant funding from the state Department of Public Health to develop and implement the program.
To keep the program cost effective, NDDH has posted downloadable forms on its Web site.
More than 2,000 Vial of Life decals have been distributed to date, and NDDH has already placed another order for printing.
“Once the grant funding is exhausted, it is our hope that we can partner with organizations that have an interest in this type of community program so that we can continue it in the future,” Ms. Beckenhaupt said.
For more information or to download forms, visit the Web site at . Vial of Life decals or complete kits may also be requested by calling the health department at (860) 774-7350.