Bev Wright, RN, left, and Jackie Shelley, RN, right, with The Bellevue Hospital’s Community Services Department, assist Geri Ware in preparing her Link to Life capsule. The capsule, containing important emergency medical information, is stored in a door of your kitchen refrigerator. Medical personnel are trained to look for the capsule in times of emergency.

One of the most difficult things to do during a period of personal crisis is to think, speak and act clearly, especially if it’s a medical emergency.

            A new program being offered through The Bellevue Hospital (TBH) aims to help have medial information readily available to you and the medical personnel if they are called to your home during an emergency situation.

            The “Link to Life” program offers residents an opportunity to store their emergency medical information in a “link to life” container stored in the door of your refrigerator. When medical personnel arrive for an emergency situation at your home, they are trained to look in the refrigerator door for this important medical information, information that may ultimately help to save your life.

            “During an emergency, it can sometimes be difficult for medical technicians to get the necessary information they need to deliver appropriate care in a timely manner,” explained Peg Natole, leader of TBH’s Community Services Department. “The link to life provides a simple and effective way to communicate with medical personnel during an emergency.”

            The “Link to Life’ is available free of charge at several locations in and around Bellevue, during normal business hours, including the Concierge Desk at TBH, 1400 W. Main St.; Bellevue Community Center, 110 Cherry Boulevard; Bellevue Police Station, 3000 Seneca Industrial Parkway; Bellevue Fire Department, 110 Southwest Street; Bellevue North Central EMS Station, 150 Yorkshire Place; and the Sandusky County EMS Office, 2100 Countryside Drive, Fremont.

            When requesting a “Link to Life” container, residents will be given the orange-colored pill-type container with lid, and a Link to Life Information Sheet. The front side of the sheet goes over all of the instructions and guidelines for using the vial, while the flip side has room for name, emergency contact information, insurance information, a section to list special medical concerns and/or diagnoses, immunization record, and a section to list all current medications you are currently taking.

            The form was developed with input from local emergency management agencies. Additional forms for family members, or so you may update your information, may be downloaded below:

Click on the  graphic above to download the form.

            For additional information on the “Link to Life” program, or to schedule a talk on “Link to Life” for your club, group or organization, contact Jackie Shelley, TBH Community Services, at 419.483.4040, Ext. 6610.