By Rob Mcdaniel
The Sentinel Echo
LONDON, Ky. — A little yellow sticker could save your life. That’s the message Gov. Steve Beshear had for Kentuckians on Monday as he announced the launch of Kentucky’s Yellow Dot program.
The Yellow Dot program is a nation-wide program designed to improve emergency care to motorists involved in a vehicle crash.
The idea behind the program is that motorists put the “dot” — a circular yellow sticker — on the lower left corner of the driver’s side rear window of their car to alert emergency responders that a pamphlet with identification and medical information about the motorist is in the glove box of the vehicle. The pamphlet includes the motorist’s name, photo, medical conditions, recent surgeries, current medications, allergies, physical information and emergency contact information.
“This is a great idea,” Monica Wagers, a paramedic with Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County said. “I think this will be a great benefit for us. In minor car wrecks they’re able to tell you all their information, but we have those car wrecks where they can’t tell us anything. Sometimes we can’t get their name or anything. We’ll be able to get all their information with this.”
Wagers said an example of how the information on the pamphlet would be beneficial to accident victims is that it would allow first responders to see all the medications that person is taking. If paramedics know what an accident victim is taking they also know what they can give that won’t counteract with what they’re already taking.
“If we take them to the closest hospital (Saint Joseph London) and the patient has never been there before they have no clue about their medical history; all the hospital is getting is what we give them,” Wagers said. “We had a severe car wreck the other day and she wasn’t able to tell us anything. We really had no clue what her medical history was until we’d already flown the patient to UK and the family was able to tell us.”
According to a statement on the Yellow Dot program from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 11 office in Manchester, the program isn’t just for those motorists driving cars and trucks, smaller yellow stickers are available for placement on motorcycle license plates.
“We are always looking for ways to improve safety on Kentucky roadways, and the Yellow Dot program could truly be a lifesaver,” said Gov. Beshear. “If a motorist is unconscious after a crash, every minute matters, and I believe this program could mean the difference between life and death.”
In order for the program to be effective motorists will have to make sure their information is up to date. Yellow Dot users are encouraged to periodically review and update their information.
“Current information is especially important when dealing with medical conditions and prescriptions,” Kentucky Office of Highway Safety Executive Director Bill Bell said. “It determines the type of treatment emergency responders can or cannot safely provide.”
The program will be administered through the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS).
“I think this is a great benefit and should be mandatory for anyone with a serious medical history,” Wagers said. “I’ve been here six years and I’ve rarely come across a medial bracelet for something like diabetes and never for a stroke, this program would be a great benefit.”
Funding for the Yellow Dot program in Kentucky is provided by a grant through the Federal Highway Safety Administration.
Email yellowdotky@ky.gov to request a packet or pick up a packet at the KYTC central office, any KYTC district office or Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post. Packets are also available at various hospitals throughout the state.
For more information, visit yellowdot.ky.gov.
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©2015 The Sentinel Echo (London, Ky.)