It’s a simple but effective idea. You complete a health information form, place it in a bottle, which then goes into the refrigerator. If a health crisis strikes, everything important about you — allergies, medications and so on — will be available to paramedics.
By KYLIE JACOBSEN
Leader Intern
An empty pill bottle may seem insignificant to some, but to many it is a life-saving device. The Vial of Life program in Hutchinson has been aiding elderly and paramedics for nine years.
Vial of Life allows paramedics to help unconscious or mute patients communicate. Inside of the empty pill bottle is a double-sided sheet of paper that allows up to two people to list all of their medications, allergies and other relevant health information.
“We encourage people to put the bottle in their refrigerator or glove compartment in case of accidents,” said Jim McKay, ambulance supervisor and paramedic at Hutchinson Community Hospital. “It’s really helpful.”
The bottle is placed in a refrigerator because almost everyone owns one and it is easy to find by emergency medical personnel, who have been trained to look for the neon sticker indicating that the victim uses Vial of Life. The sticker should be placed on the door of a house, refrigerator door, or glove compartment. But it can go elsewhere.
“Mine’s in my freezer,” said Lila Meyer, co-chair of the Vial of Life program in Hutchinson. “When an accident happens, people get nervous and upset and can’t remember their medications.”
“I know my husband wouldn’t,” added Lydia Brinkman, chairman of the Vial of Life program in Hutchinson.
Brinkman saw the program in Sun City, Ariz., and brought it back with her to Hutchinson in 2000.
“It’s an awfully good idea, and that’s why I got excited about it,” Brinkman said.
After presenting the idea to Dori Johnson, president of the Hutchinson Hospital Auxiliary, the program was approved by the board and sponsored by the auxiliary.
“For the first couple of years, we had a booth at the fair and people would grab the freebies,” Brinkman said.
Now, the free bottles can be found at many assisted living homes and the information desk at the hospital. The Vial of Life program serves The Oaks, The Pines, Park Towers, Village Co-op, Evergreen Apartments, Prince of Peace, Greencastle Condominiums, Community of Lake Ridge Association and Cedar Crest Estate.
Elsewhere, Vial of Life may be found at Glencoe Regional Health Services in the hospital and clinic, as well as at satellite clinics in Lester Prairie and Stewart. At this time, there is no active program in Meeker County, although there is a small one looking to partner with a sponsor through Gold Cross.
“It’s a great program,” said Lori Rice, coordinator for education and marketing services at Meeker Memorial Hospital. “We just haven’t reimplemented it in our area at this time.”
The program has done just what it was intended to do in Hutchinson. Two lives have been saved at Cedar Crest Estate during the past year.
“It’s rewarding to hear the stories,” Brinkman said. “The bottles are important to have in case of an emergency.”
An empty pill bottle was chosen for the program because of its size, and “the labels are bright enough against the small bottle,” Brinkman said.
Since the program began, more than 8,000 bottles have been donated to the program by Family Rexall Drug in Hutchinson.
When asked to donate the bottles for the program, owner of Family Rexall Drug, Brad Lueneburg, thought “Why not? It’s a good idea.
“It helps people do a list of current medications,” Lueneburg said. “It also helps them remember what they are on, because some people are on numerous meds.”
Users of Vial of Life are encouraged to keep their lists updated and written in pencil.
“Keep a list, keep it updated and keep it with you,” Lueneburg said.