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July 1, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is launching the new Vial of Life program to the citizens of Pawnee County. Essentially the program is designed as a way to capture an individual’s health information in a location that is easily identifiable and assessable for first responders to the scene.

The Vials look like a normal prescription bottle with VIAL OF LIFE on the label with a magnet attached to the bottle. Inside the bottle is a Health Information Sheet along with instructions on how to properly implement the program. The instructions are as follows: 1) Fill out the Health Information Sheet in PENCIL so that in-formation can be updated as needed. Place the Health Information Sheet into the Vial along with a copy of your durable power of attorney or do-not-resuscitate order, if you have them. 2) Place the Vial in a visible spot in the upper right hand corner of your refrigerator where local emergency response teams have been trained to look for it. Then put the magnet on your refrigerator. 3) Take the information sheet with you when you visit your doctor, pharmacist or emergency room. Record any new information, medications or changes to reflect your current status. Replace your Vial in your refrigerator and leave it there unless updates are necessary.

Prior to production the Health Information Sheets were reviewed by both the Larned EMS Director, Josh Huff, and PVCH Nursing Director, Kendra Barker, to make sure that all the information they might need in responding to a medical emergency is included on the form.

“The first responders I have visited with are very excited about this program. They have witnessed first-hand how a patient’s emergency care can be hin-dered when vital health information is not assessable,” shared Linda Henderson, PVCH Marketing Director.

PVCH is training all first responders in Pawnee County on the Vial of Life program. This includes Larned EMS, Larned Police Department, Larned Fire Department, Pawnee County Sheriff, Garfield Fire Department, Burdett Fire Department & EMS and Rozel Fire Department.

The Vials will be available at the PVCH Information desk, ER, Acute, PVMA and other healthcare clinics in the area and the Pawnee County Health Department. The Vials are free to the public.