If you or someone you love is in a car accident or has a medical emergency and gets transported to Faith Community Health System, how would doctors reach your emergency contact?
There is a FREE and simple way to make sure first responders can identify you and contact a loved one. If you have a Texas driver license or identification card, you can now voluntarily register or update your emergency contact information online by visiting the Texas by Texas webpage.
Note: Your emergency contact information is not printed on your driver’s license or identification card. It is only accessible to law enforcement personnel and having access to emergency contact information allows first responders and hospital staff to quickly notify loved ones of the situation.
In many cases, patients may be unconscious, confused or otherwise unable to communicate effectively. Emergency contacts can provide essential details about the patient’s medical history, allergies, current medications, and any pre-existing conditions, which can significantly influence the course of treatment.
“This information is crucial for making informed decisions, particularly in life-threatening situations where every second counts,” said Shawn White, chief medical officer, Faith Community Hospital System.
Update Your Emergency Contact Info for FREE
We urge you to take a few moments to make sure your information is updated for free! Visit the Texas by Texas webpage to learn who, if anyone, is listed as your emergency contact and update names and contact information.
The ability to quickly reach your emergency contact could mean the difference between life and death in a situation where you are unable to communicate with doctors and nurses. Texas residents can update their emergency contact information on this website at any time. (You can also make changes when you are completing an online renewal, replacement or change of address transaction for your driver’s license or ID.).
If you are below the age of 18, you can only update emergency contact information in person at a local driver license office. You’ll need a parent or legal guardian present.
Why is Updating Your Emergency Contact Info Important?
Think about it: If your loved one was in an accident, wouldn’t you want to be contacted immediately? Of course you would!
Using a Texas driver’s license or ID to make sure first responders and hospital personnel can reach your family in case of an emergency is important for several reasons.
The No. 1 reason? Providing medical treatment with accurate background information is key to the best outcomes. Emergency contacts can offer valuable context about the patient’s recent activities or behaviors, which might be relevant to the medical emergency.
“For example, knowing that a patient has been experiencing severe headaches recently could prompt healthcare providers to consider specific diagnoses or treatments,” Dr. White said.
Additionally, in cases where the patient has a language barrier of communication difficulty, emergency contacts can help bridge the gap, ensuring that medical instructions and updates are accurately conveyed and understood.
Having an emergency contact by the patient’s side offers emotional support during emergencies. And, for the family, being informed promptly about a loved one’s condition can reduce anxiety and uncertainty, allowing them to make timely and appropriate decisions regarding the patient’s care.
Finally, it’s a no-brainer! People keep their driver’s license or ID on them at all times. You can’t plan ahead for an accident, but you can make sure a loved one is by your side when they are needed most. Faith Community Health System is here for you and your loved ones for routine healthcare as well as emergencies – and everything in between.
With four rural health clinics (Jacksboro, Graham, Bowie and Alvord), Faith Community Hospital in Jacksboro and our freestanding Emergency Department in Bowie, Faith offers round-the-clock care – in sickness and health. Looking for a doctor? Faith has you covered. We offer healthcare services in many medical specialties. Take a look here to learn more about how we can help take care of you and your family: www.fchtexas.com.