Blue Cross Blue Shield: EPI May Help Save Your Life

One of the best things you can do for your loved ones is to register your medical information in the Emergency Patient Information (EPI) System. Once this information is completed, medical personnel will be able to view your personalized EPI profile to access your medical information.

'When we first encounter an emergency patient in the field some of the very simple things that we might not know are things like name, home telephone number, just very basic information," says Captain Allan Rice, Hoover, Alabama Fire Department. EPI is an
excellent solution to this problem.

The EPI System
Emergency Patient Information is a free Internet-based service designed to provide patient medical information in an emergency. Established by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, EPI allows individuals to place information online, in a secure format for rescue personnel to access through the Internet. The information file may include emergency contacts, chronic illnesses, medications, allergies, surgeries, names of physicians and blood type.

"Patients can enter as little or as much information as they want, depending their needs," says Jim Brown, Senior Vice President, Customer Relations and Information Services, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

Once a file is completed, the user may print an EPI identification card for their immediate use and order a permanent card. The EPI card contains a Rescue Login that may be used to view the information entered through the Internet

Hoover Fire Captain Rice feels strongly about the value of EPI.
"Sometimes, good information is one thing we're lacking. We might have the proper training and the right equipment, but sometimes we're still at a deficit if we don't have the proper information in a timely fashion," Rice says.

For instance, a child who has a heart condition or a breathing problem needs specific care from paramedics. If that child is not with a parent, there may not be anyone who can explain the medical condition to the medical staff. If the child's EPI Rescue Login is available, a member of the emergency staff can access the patient information from the Internet, find out specifically about the child's condition, and treat the patient accordingly.

"One of the first things that the paramedics will do with a patient who's not able to speak is start looking for means of identification or things that indicate what their medical problem could be," says Rice. "We need things like an EPI card to identify the person, emergency contacts that we should consider, and the Rescue Login so that we can go to the Internet and try to access their file."

Rice knows the frustration of the unknown when a medical situation prevents a person from communicating with medical personnel.

"Time is critical in any emergency;" says Rice. 'We train our paramedics that the best way to save time during an emergency is to prepare before the emergency; and EPI is a way that the public can participate in improving their own care by making some preparations in advance. We're going to get there as fast as we can and do everything we can do, but our efforts will be made even better if we have the right information to act upon."

One situation that is a constant concern to anyone administering emergency medical attention involves medications that the patient is taking. Also of great importance are the patient's allergies and previous medication reactions. If EPI is available, these questions are immediately answered.

The EPI card will not crimp your style. It fits in a wallet and can be readily accessible in an emergency. If something happens to the card, a new one can be printed from the Internet. So, there is no excuse not to have a card.

A GREAT DEAL
Besides offering valuable patient information during a medical emergency, another great benefit of the EPI card is that it is free. There is no charge for the public to participate in EPI, and there is no charge for health care workers to access the information and use it. It is a completely free service provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

In addition to being free, this service is available to all Alabamians.
There is no consideration about what insurance company you use or whether you have insurance at all. Every Alabamian who can get access to the Internet can participate in the program. All they have to do is complete their personal information, print the EPI identification card and carry that card with them at all times.

A VALUABLE TOOL
The times when Rice and his staff do not have enough patient information contribute to insufficient care. But this problem can come to an end if everyone will register with the EPI program.

"Throughout my career as a paramedic there have been happy times and of course, there have been tragedies," he says. "I remember times that better information would have made a big difference."

You can help in an emergency; even if you are the patient Log-on to www.myepi.net and record your emergency patient information; print your card, and keep it with you at all times.

EPI is a service of the InfoSolutions® Medical Information Network at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. InfoSolutions currently serves more than 350,000 patients throughout Alabama. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.