Allow me to share a colleague’s recent frightening medical experience which illuminates the need for a personal medical record. As you read this, keep in mind that “Rachel” has worked in the health care field for over 30 years as a clinician, manager and consultant and so has considerable knowledge of how health information is gathered and used. Shortly before Rachel left for a 2 week vacation outside of the country, her 87 year old father felt slightly ill, as though getting a cold. Although he has had some cardiac problems in the past, he was generally active, still drove, and very alert. Upon her return, she learned that his symptoms had persisted and progressed to ongoing high fevers and chills. He had become very weak and stopped eating, drinking and even stopped taking his medications. After 2 weeks of this, he was admitted to the hospital and placed on IV hydration and antibiotics but all cultures and tests were negative. Physicians felt he had an infection but could not identify it. Specialists were called in and additional scans and cultures taken, again negative. When Rachel saw her father, she was shocked by his condition. His body was shaking uncontrollably, his fevers continued, he was incontinent, he could barely speak or open his eyes, and he needed Morphine for pain. Still the doctors were stymied by the cause and very concerned.

While visiting him on his 7th day of hospitalization, Rachel met with one of the Physician’s Assistants caring for him. As they reviewed his current condition, the PA happened to review his preadmission medications with Rachel. When he was so ill, her father had stopped taking his Prednisone. Because the medical staff did not know the reason for the Prednisone, it had not been reordered. Rachel explained that he had polymalgia rheumatic (PMR). This was not in listed in his medical history. Rachel’s brother was not aware of the PMR problem and so could not have relayed it upon admission, her mother was too worried to even think of it, and her father too ill to tell the physicians. Immediately, a Rheumatologist was consulted and within the same day, the Prednisone was restarted. Within 48 hours, her father’s fever was gone, he was awake and oriented, and was now able to eat and drink. The physicians believe that he had suffered from a viral infection but stopping the Prednisone had caused exacerbation of the PMR leading to ongoing fever, pain, and extreme weakness. His 10 day hospitalization was followed by several weeks in a rehabilitation facility to regain his strength.

Rachel had made sure that her parents’ medications were written down in case of emergency but had not thought to write down their medical conditions. The importance of a personal medical record is clear. In time of emergency, we may not remember important information or others may not be aware of them. In my book, 7 Steps to Your Best Possible Healthcare, I devote an entire section to this topic. You will learn what to include and how to organize it.