File For Life
The File for Life program is meant to provide quick and easy access to your basic medical information. It is a form that can be filled out prior to an emergency and has all the information that emergency crews need. The file contains important personal information regarding your health and emergency contacts in the event that you are unable to give the information. Smaller files for personal carry, magnetic fridge holders and other options are available from the link below.
How do I get a File of Life?
The File of Life Program at St. Matthews EMS is available to the residents of the St. Matthews Fire Protection District. To obtain a File for Life please ask any St. Matthews Fire Apparatus or Ambulance, come by either fire station, or you can even print your own from the link below.
Printable File for Life Information Sheet
Different options and sizes are also available for purchase from File of Life, please contact the File of Life Foundation, Inc. below.
How do I fill out a File of Life?
Basic Information
Most of the information on the File of Life program is relatively easy to fill out as it is personal information. Who you put for Emergency Contacts is a decision that is personal and should be based on people who are close to you and would be relatively easy to contact in the event of an emergency. This can include relatives, friends, coworkers, or any other person that may be able to give support in a time of emergency.
Medical Information
Medication should include all current medicines you are taking prescribed by your doctor. If you are unaware of your Blood Type or where your files are, contact your health care provider or doctor.
Comfort Care / DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) Form
By filling out and signing this form with your physician, you are able to deny certain life-saving care from EMTs in the event of an emergency. Patients who have already spoken with their health care providers who have deemed them appropriate for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) status should fill out this form and keep it in an easily accessible place. The KY EMS Do Not Resuscitate form is the ONLY means for Emergency Medical Technicians and paramedics to verify the status of a patient as DNR. If this form is not filled out and seen by EMTs, they are required to resuscitate according to their protocols. If this form is shown, EMTs will only provide service to ease the pain of the patient without affecting a cure. It is important to put this form in an easy to find location so that split second decisions are able to be made by EMTs in order to determine on the spot treatment.
Good locations for these forms could be on your bedroom door, on the refrigerator near your File of Life, or next to your bed. If an EMT cannot find the form, they cannot follow Do Not Resuscitate protocols.
Medical Conditions/Allergies
All known medical conditions/allergies should be checked off, including those that aren’t included on the list (there is a box marked “other” where additional unlisted conditions may be added). If these are unknown, contact your physician or health care provider.
Medical Insurance
The company as well as your policy number should be included on the sheet. Both of these can be found on your insurance card or by calling your physician. If you are a part of Medicaid or Medicare, these numbers need to be included as well. How do I fill out a File of Life? Steps For Understanding and Completing the Form
