How to make a free medical ID QR code for your phone and wallet

When a patient arrives in my emergency department unable to speak, the first minutes are spent guessing. Allergies, blood thinners, seizure medicines and an emergency contact are the things I most want to know. A medical ID QR code puts that information where responders can see it, without unlocking your phone.

Step 1: Turn on your phone's built-in medical ID

iPhone has Medical ID in the Health app, and most Android phones have Emergency information in settings. Both can show on the lock screen. Turn them on first. It takes two minutes.

Step 2: Make a lock-screen medical ID wallpaper

Not every responder knows where to tap. A wallpaper with your allergies, key conditions, emergency contact and a QR code is visible the moment your screen lights up. My free lock-screen Medical ID builds one for iPhone and Android in a few minutes. Everything stays in your browser.

What to include

• Allergies, with the reaction if you know it
• Major conditions, like diabetes, epilepsy or a heart condition
• Blood thinners, insulin and seizure medicines
• Implants and devices, like a pacemaker
• Two emergency contacts

What to leave out

Anyone who scans the code can read it. That is the point in an emergency. So never include your Social Security number, insurance ID or home address.

Step 3: Print a wallet card and a fridge card

Phones die and get lost. Print the wallet card, and if you care for children or an older parent, make the free family pack and fridge card so a babysitter or paramedic can read everyone's information in seconds.

Then set a reminder to update it whenever a medicine changes.

I speak on this to hospital boards, associations and conference stages. Book me to speak, or read more at https://www.HarveyCastroMD.com.