Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
In a heartwarming collaboration, River Forest Township and the River Forest Fire Department have joined forces to better support local seniors during medical emergencies. Their shared goal is to ensure that older residents are well-prepared for unexpected health situations.
This month, they launched a new initiative by distributing ICE (In Case of Emergency) Packets to residents aged 60 and above. These packets include a detailed medical information form that can be filled out by the senior and stored in the freezer—where it's easily accessible to paramedics. To make it even more visible, each recipient also gets a special decal to place on their freezer door, signaling the presence of the important document.
River Forest Township Supervisor Carla Sloan explained that this effort aligns perfectly with the township’s mission to serve and protect its aging population. “Promoting health and safety for our seniors is at the core of what we do,†she said.
The ICE form is an updated version of a pilot program the fire department has been running for several years. Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Bochenek, who leads the initiative, mentioned that over the past couple of years, between 20 and 30 forms have been handed out at community events like block parties and neighborhood meetings.
Now, the township has produced 1,500 ICE Packets, which will be distributed starting with events during Celebrating Seniors Week, running through May 19th. Similar forms have been used in other communities across the country, and firefighters have praised them for helping provide faster and more effective care, according to Bochenek.
The ICE Packet functions as a comprehensive questionnaire where individuals list their current medications, past medical conditions, emergency contacts, insurance details, and more. This information helps first responders make quicker, more informed decisions when treating patients.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), paramedics cannot store any personal health information. That’s why they encourage people to keep their ICE Packets with them when they go to the hospital.
“Even if a patient can’t speak, the ICE Packet gives us critical medical history that can guide our treatment and save time,†Bochenek added. “It’s a small step that can make a big difference.â€
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