Participation in a program that helps paramedics identify potential high-risk patients in emergency situations is being promoted locally.
Lambton Emergency Medical Services [EMS] Manager Stephen Turner said the Cool Aid program has been around for about 20 years.
"If anybody's in the position that they need to call 9-1-1, when the paramedics arrive, if they know the patient has a Cool Aid form, they know quickly to look on the fridge and find it," said Turner.
It is called the Cool Aid program to remind people that the card is meant to be placed on the fridge.
Turner said the paramedics are trained to look for them.
"Basically it's a foldable card with a magnet on the back of it. It's lightweight, it's easy, it's one page and has all of the critical information right at a glance," he said.
Turner said paramedics and a variety of organizations distribute them.
"They carry them on the ambulances. Especially for those patients that we see more frequently. We're able to provide those to the patients so that they have it for the next time. We also work with our partners throughout the health system at Bluewater Health, with Lambton Area Family Health Teams, Lambton Elderly Outreach, our community paramedic programs and our office, to make sure that those forms are available to anyone who might need them," he said.
Turner said having quick access to information about a patient's medications, allergies and medical conditions is really important to them.
"Sometimes it takes a little bit of time for people to remember what medications they're on. They might have to search for them in the moment. This takes a lot of stress off of them, and for us too," Turner added.
He said a few thousand cards are distributed each year.