We all like to make sure our phone is private but there is a way we can also allow medical professionals to access details in time of an emergency.

In a Facebook post, ER doctor, Julia Thompson, shared the information which has since been shared over 160,000 times.

She wrote, “Working in a public hospital and seeing patients in ED all the time I see many patients come in and we have had no way of knowing who they are or how to contact their next of kin or their medical history! And their phones are locked!

But many people don’t realise that you and patients can set up something called a “Medical ID” on your iPhone if you have the health app (free with phone). I didn’t even realise this when I got my own iPhone!

This information can be accessed even while the phone is locked by clicking on the emergency options and can display things like name, DOB, emergency contacts, medical conditions and even blood type and donor status. You can even add notes.

It can be managed by clicking on the little “Health” app that comes default on the phone (heart icon and then in the app go to the little star shape with medical ID) and given everyone I have spoken to today has never heard of it it seemed like a social media share kind of moment!

But don’t simply share it-update yours also!!

(FYI-I believe android have an app called ICE/in case of emergency that works similarly and if you don’t like apps don’t forget the going to the good old fashioned owner information, profile sharing and enter “emergency information”, enter your emergency contact and “I.c.e” as the owner and tick the “show owner information on lock screen”. Newer androids also have health details in the emergency information so no excuses not to have your information on hand! It could save your life)”

While her post was originally shared in 2o15, it is still attracting attention, and definitely something we all need to be reminded of.

Have you set up your phone with medical history information? 

Share your comments below.

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