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The KellyFile is a 32 page document
containing vital statistics and
information that would make Kelly's and
other people with developmental
disabilities admittance to the
ER room more efficient and humane. It
also makes the jobs of the hospital
staff easier and at the same time provide
immediate information for triage and the
ER doctor.
It takes the average adult 1-2
minutes to read the KellyFile. It is the size of a
checkbook and is printed on both sides.
What is the purpose of it?
This is vital information that medical
personnel need in order to save a
patient's life.
It is an "easy to read" document that will
give hospital staff an overview of what
the individual needs in order to enable
hospital staff to do their jobs,
efficiently. Kelly's File, for example,
has information that will keep Kelly's
agitation at a minimal level. From what I
have gleaned through direct experience in
the field is that hospital staff has no
idea how to care for our large disabled
and autistic adult population, which
continues to grow at an accelerated speed.
Who is responsible for filling the
KellyFile out?
Parents, conservators, patients themselves
and doctors can fill in the information on
the KellyFile. No one else has the medical
information so that there is no chance of
compromising personal information. The
individuals themselves can decide who
needs a copy of their file. For example,
Dr. Chez, Dr. Leff, Dr. Arnette, and Dr.
Bughao have
a copy of Kelly's file. This was my choice
to enable her doctors to have more
information about her so that they could do a better job.
Why is the KellyFile Unique?
The KellyFile is unique because it targets
a specific adult population which in a
nutshell are adults who are being released
from institutions, returning veterans who
have experienced traumatic brain injury,
and others like my daughter, Kelly, who
cannot talk and therefore give any
information that would be critical to
saving her life in an emergency situation.
Also, people who do not speak English
fluently would find the KellyFile helpful,
possibly saving their lives.
The KellyFile is also unique because it is
unlikely that ER physicians, paramedics, ambulance drivers, coast
guard, or anyone finding themselves in an
urgent situation can get pertinent
information from someone seriously
injured. I've found that as careful as I
am I often can't remember everything when
I am stressed out. Who can?
It's an "easy read" document that should
be carried by everyone at all times.
This booklet is unique because it is
specific to emergency room situations, is
small enough to fit in a wallet or purse,
and is durable and easy to read.
How would it be used?
The KellyFile could be used by paramedics
who respond to a 911, adult program
supervisors, group home operators,
parents, pre-surgery doctor appointments
and in general doctor appointments. It
would be used anytime a person visits the
doctor or incurs lab visits.
Who would use it?
Actually, everyone on the planet should
carry a KellyFile at all times since you
never know when you’ll need pertinent
medical information about yourself or a
loved one. It can be an invaluable
source of medical information for firemen,
policemen, teachers, and child care
centers.
Anyone could use the KellyFile; but my
immediate population of the adults with developmental
disabilities
group was triggered by my sincere desire
to make hospital, ER visits, and doctor
visits easier for the patient and the
care-takers and of course, my daughter,
Kelly.
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