The paramedic lives in the refrigerator

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Everyday life when an emergency doctor is on duty: There is an unconscious person in the apartment - and not a relative far and wide who can provide information. A tricky situation for the emergency doctors: Does the patient have any previous illnesses? Is he taking any medication? Pill boxes and doctor's letters lying around could then provide information - but the search costs valuable time. It is precisely in this situation that the “emergency box” helps.

Information is stored in the refrigerator

It is a mustard-glass-sized, round plastic box with a white cross on a green background. It contains important medical information for emergency doctors and rescue services - and is clearly visible in the refrigerator door. There it fits nicely between preserving jars and jam. The green imprint "SOS information for life saving" nevertheless catches the eye immediately.

Medical facts in the fridge? That makes sense! It is a place that can be found in every household - the emergency services do not have to search long. In case of doubt, the information contained can even save lives.

For pacemaker patients, for example: If a patient is defibrillated with a vital pacemaker, the device in the body can break. After the resuscitation, the heart rhythm is not strong enough and life is threatened. If the emergency services know about the pacemaker, they can attach the electrodes so that the device remains intact.

Must-haves: doctor's letter, medication plan, contact person

In the can is a form with the patient's most important data. Allergies, previous illnesses and intolerances can be recorded at a glance. An up-to-date medication plan will help the ambulance service to administer the correct medication. The last doctor's letter is also included, if available. The paramedics then know whether the patient needs to be taken to a specialist clinic.

"It is also important to provide a contact person," says Dr. Raoul Groß, medical director at the German Red Cross in Cologne. So that the rescuers can find the emergency box, stickers on the inside of the apartment door and on the refrigerator door show them the way.

"Everyone benefits - even healthy people"

The jar is primarily intended for people with previous illnesses who live alone. But it can also help those who do not live alone in an emergency. Often the relatives no longer have the important data to hand, maybe they are simply not at home. After all, nobody knows when an emergency will occur.

"Everyone can benefit from an emergency box, even healthy people," says Groß. Because the information that there is no previous illness is also helpful for the rescuers.

Every can needs a photo

"It is important that you can clearly assign the can to the patient," says Groß. The emergency doctor is active for the professional fire brigade and knows the situation. After all, the person lying there unconscious in front of the rescuers can also be a visitor. A name on the can is therefore not sufficient for identification. Groß recommends sticking a photo on the outside of the can.

Check once a year

It is also crucial to regularly update the emergency box in the refrigerator door: after every new hospital stay, every new medication and every new diagnosis.

Important: Always note the date of the update! This also applies once a year if nothing has changed. "With a five-year-old medication plan, I don't assume that it is still up-to-date," says Groß.

The costs vary

The emergency doses are available online and in some pharmacies - for around five euros each. However, the price may vary depending on the provider. Nursing services and hospitals distribute some of them to their patients free of charge. Which provider you choose is unimportant for the rescue service, assures emergency physician Groß. "What is written on the outside of the can does not matter, it depends on the content."

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