Sun Health recently launched two signature tools – Vial of Life and File of Life. Both resources, offered for free as a service to the community, are designed to enhance access to important medical information during an emergency.

A popular tool used by local residents and emergency personnel for many years, Sun Health, in partnership with Banner Health, recently revitalized Vial of Life with a slightly larger pill bottle. For use at home, the vial/bottle contains an easy-to-complete medical form that contains important information such as prominent medical conditions, past surgeries, physician contact information and medications. Area residents are encouraged to complete the medical form, place it in the pill bottle and then put the bottle in their refrigerator. To help emergency personnel locate the pill bottle, residents are encouraged to post a bright orange window cling on their front window or front door, or on the front of their refrigerator. This orange cling alerts emergency professional to look for the vial in the refrigerator.

File of Life puts that same potentially life-saving information in a portable device. The computer flash drive holds emergency medical information including:

•             Easy to follow instructions;
•             Pre-formatted, easy-to-populate emergency medical forms; and
•             Extra storage for additional members’ information.

The flash drive comes equipped with a lanyard, but it can easily be clipped on a key chain or stored inside a purse, making it an ideal portable solution to carry when away from home, traveling or exercising.

Free Classes
Area residents can learn more about the programs, and receive their free Vial of Life and File of Life by attending an introductory class. All classes listed are scheduled from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.:

·         Aug. 6, The Colonnade, 19116 Colonnade Way, Surprise
·         Sept. 10, Banner Boswell Medical Center, Support Services Building, 13180 N. 103rd Dr., Sun City
·         Sept. 11, Grandview Terrace, 14515 W. Granite Valley Dr., Sun City West
·         Oct. 31, La Loma Village, 14154 Denny Blvd., Litchfield Park

To register for an upcoming class, please call (623) 455-5741. For more information about this program, visit: www.sunhealth.org/vialoflife. To schedule a Vial of Life/File of Life presentation for your club or group, please call Autumn Leonard at (623) 832-5665.