• 

Medical consent to treat form. Anyone who comes to the ER will always receive life-saving care, but it's important to authorize someone to make medical decisions should you be unable to do so because of illness or injury. This form is especially important for parents who keep their children in daycare. By completing this form, you designate a particular person to make decisions about medical care for you or a family member.

• 

Medical contact information. Keep the name and number of someone the ER doctors can call when you go to the hospital.

• 

Personal medical history. Make a list that contains information related to prescription medications, medical problems or previous surgeries, pertinent family history and contact information for people the doctors can call in an emergency

• 

Medical identification card. You should carry a medical identification card in your wallet or purse. The card should contain your personal medical history (see above), your health insurance information, and the name and number of your primary-care physician. If you have a special health condition, like epilepsy, consider wearing some type of medical identification jewelry. Emergency doctors are trained to look for these forms of identification before treating a patient.

• 

Allergies. Write down the allergies of each member of your family, including any adverse reactions to penicillin or antibiotics. Be sure to include any allergies to food as well. Some people have a latex allergy, which is important to know if those treating you intend to wear latex gloves.

• 

Medications. Your medical record should also include a list of any medications, including their dosages, which you and your family members take on a regular basis. Some medications react badly when they are taken together, so the ER doctors need this information before they give you any other medications.

• 

Immunizations. Keeping an up-to-date record of immunizations can help ER doctors diagnose a problem quickly, allowing them to rule out certain diseases or conditions if they know you have recently been immunized against them. Include your entire immunization history from childhood to the present in your record.

• 

Pre-existing conditions. Note if you or anyone in your family has asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Having these conditions can help determine what kind of treatment you will receive in the ER.

• 

Height and weight. It’s also a good idea to include the current height and weight of every family member, including yourself, in your record. Although weight can change over time, it is important to include this since it may enable doctors to more accurately calculate the appropriate dosage of medication needed.

• 

Blood type. If you know your blood type, it is helpful to include this in the medical record. If you need an emergency blood transfusion, your doctors will use type O negative, which is compatible with all blood types.