The Vial of Life program is coming to Mapleton.
The program, already active in other parts of the county, is being extended into the township by Safe Communities Mapleton (SCM), working in conjunction with their Wellington County counterparts.
The Vial of Life program allows individuals to have their complete medical information ready in their home for emergency personnel to reference during an emergency. This program is used to provide the patient’s medical information when a patient is not able to speak or remember the information. Senior citizens commonly use the program, but it can be used by anyone who needs it. Information contained in the vial includes a patient’s name, date of birth, OHIP number, doctor’s name and phone number, list of any allergies and health history.
The program originated in Sacramento, California in the early 1980’s and was eventually adopted by the American Red Cross. It was introduced to Wellington County by the COPS Committee in Puslinch a decade ago and has since also been introduced to Guelph and Wellington County by Emergency Management Services (EMS). The program was launched in the Town of Minto in April.
At the Sept. 10 Mapleton council meeting, SCM chair Wilma Mol said, “It’s the goal of Safe Communities Wellington to have this county wide.”
Mol explained the information contained in the vials can be a big asset to emergency responders.
“There’s a magnet in the vial that would be placed on the fridge. The EMS personnel recognize that and go into the fridge and inside there will be a form full of information … that’s going to save lives,” she explained.
Mol said the group is working in conjunction with other groups, such as the Mapleton Fire Department, Mapleton Health Centre, and the local Seniors Centre For Excellence.
“The goal of this program is not to reinvent the wheel but to come alongside and partner with everyone,” she said, noting the local fire department could arrange to ensure vial information is up to date while conducting fire inspections.
SCM requires 1,000 vials to implement the program. As the committee has no budget, Mol asked the township to provide $250 to help with such costs as fridge magnets and labels for the vials. Cost of labels, magnets have a cost, vials donated by Mapleton Health Centre.
Council passed a motion approving the requested $250 contribution.
Vials will be distributed through the Mapleton Fire Deparatment and the Seniors Centre For Excellence. Vials will also be available for pickup at the township office.
