News
Beebe Medical Center and Sussex County EMS Promote "File of Life" and Event
04/28/04
In honor of National Emergency Medical Services Week, May 16 - 22, 2004, Beebe Medical Center and Sussex County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) highlight the importance of the "File of Life" program in providing critical information during times of medical crisis for Sussex County residents. The "File of Life" is a magnetic card in which residents list information, including current medications, emergency contacts, allergies and medical conditions. Residents should post the kits on their refrigerators and place a "File of Life" sticker, included in the kit, in an easily seen place in the front of their homes. Since the beginning of the program in 1999, Beebe Medical Center has distributed over 51,000 Files of Life to patients and residents throughout our community. "File of Life" cards are free and may be obtained by calling Beebe Medical Center's Community Health Department at 645-3468.
"Beebe Medical Center commends Sussex County Emergency Medical Services, as well as our volunteer fire and ambulance companies, our local police departments and all of the first responders in our area for their commitment and responsiveness to our community," explains Dr. Michael Edwards, Medical Director of Emergency Services at Beebe Medical Center. "The File of Life is an easy and effective way to save time in an emergency by providing quickly accessible life-saving information."
"File of Life is an outstanding tool to alert EMS to any existing medical conditions or allergies, and provide immediate access to the patient’s current medications and contact information, when an emergency arises and every minute counts," explains Glenn Luedtke, Director of Sussex County Emergency Medical Services. "EMS Week provides the opportunity to remind members of our community about the File of Life program, and encourage each resident who already has one to update it as needed with current medical and contact information."
Beebe Medical Center and The Guide fund the program, which is also supported by Sussex County EMS, the Sussex County Sheriff's Department, Triad, Sussex County CHEER, SALT, Local Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Companies and the Delaware State Police.
EMS Week Event: May 16, 2004
Sussex County EMS is hosting an EMS Week event at St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes on Sunday, May 16, 2004, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will include the Sussex County EMS Hazardous Materials Medical Response Team, Special Events Team Bike Medic Unit, the Delaware State Police Aviation Helicopter, public safety displays, medical screenings, and an interactive bicycle safety rodeo and course for children, sponsored by the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Beebe Medical Center will provide a "Germ Busters" display for children. For more information, please contact Sussex County EMS at 854-5050.
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