Update: This post was originally published in 2014 and has since been updated with the latest information. For a more in-depth and up-to-date look at this topic, please read out our latest blog post: Yellow Dot Program (February 9, 2023).
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Imagine that you are injured in an auto accident and you are shaken and confused and unable to communicate clearly. Emergency personnel arrive on the scene. They don’t know what pre-existing medical conditions and special needs you have. They don’t know what medications you are taking or if you are allergic to something.
If they had this kind of information it would likely improve the care they are able to give. It might even save your life.
Now you can help ensure that your emergency responders have the information they need. You can participate in the Yellow Dot program. This free program is open to anyone. And it seems particularly valuable for seniors since we are more likely to have chronic medical conditions and to be on more medications.
Yellow Dot participants place a yellow decal on the driver’s side rear window of their car. Relevant emergency medical information goes on a sheet which is placed inside a yellow envelope stored in the glove compartment.
The information allows the first responders to immediately access the information they need to treat you most quickly and effectively. It allows hospital emergency department staff to positively identify you, call your family, and personalize your care.
The Yellow Dot information includes your picture along with relevant medical conditions, medications, allergies, emergency contacts, and physicians.
The information sheet and photo goes into a Yellow Dot folder which you keep in your vehicle’s glove box. If there are multiple people riding in the same vehicle who want to participate, you just put multiple medical information sheets and photos in the Yellow Dot folder.
You can order your Yellow Dot materials online at https://tinyurl.com/p6xng2q or by phone by calling 717-787-6746. For more information on Pennsylvania’s Yellow Dot Program visit www.YellowDot.pa.gov.
The Yellow Dot program is spreading nationally, so it may benefit you even if you are traveling outside of Pennsylvania.
The Yellow Dot is similar to the Vial of L.I.F.E. (“Lifesaving Information for Emergencies”) program which is intended to provide first responders with medical information when providing care to an injured or ill person at home. With the Vial of L.I.F.E. the medical information form is placed in a vial on the top shelf of the door of the participant’s refrigerator and stickers are placed on the refrigerator door and the front door or window to notify emergency responders.
