Program participants can put sensitive medical information in the right hands if they're unconscious as a result of a crash.
The Yellow Dot program puts medical information into the hands of first responders.
A new Pennsylvania program will help crash victims pass on vital health information to first responders even when they’re unconscious.
The Yellow Dot program was launched for people to document their health conditions for EMS workers. Participants such as diabetics or those with heart disease can write down their medications and conditions on a form and put the information in their car glove compartment.
First responders will know to look there if they see a yellow dot sticker on the rear window of the vehicle.
“We do believe it’s going to be very successful,” said John Kloss, the deputy director for the eastern Pennsylvania EMS council. The council covers six counties, including Northampton and Lehigh.
The program is similar to the Vials of Life program. Participants in that program put medical information into a medicine container and store it on the top shelf of their refrigerator. A sticker on the front door alerts EMTs to look in the refrigerator for information.
Gov. Tom Corbett rolled out the new program this month along with the Emergency Contact Information program. Under that program, licensed Pennsylvania drivers can list two emergency contacts on a secure online database to help contact family members in the event of a crash.
“I sincerely hope that people never have to use these programs once they’re signed up, but I’m pleased that Pennsylvania now has these tools available to help people when they’re in dire need,” the governor said in a statement.
Any extra medical information is helpful in the event of an emergency, according to Barry Albertson, the executive director of Suburban EMS in Palmer Township.
“We may give someone a painkiller, and maybe that’s not the greatest thing to give,” he said. The contact information program will be helpful for EMS workers to contact the parents of young drivers involved in a crash.
Kloss said he’ll pitch the program to his group’s members at a meeting next month. He said he also plans to distribute forms for the program at local congressional and state legislative offices.“We just ordered another 2,000 forms,” Kloss said. “I have a feeling it’s going to take off and really quick.”
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TO JOIN THE PROGRAM
Anyone can sign up for the Yellow Dot program by visiting www.yellowdot.pa.gov.
To sign up for the Emergency Contact Information program, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and click on the program icon.