MedWatch (BC Article)

Rona hadn’t been feeling herself all day. She was usually quite active but today something was off. “All day long, I had ‘heavy arms’,” she says. A retired nurse, she knew that women experienced different symptoms but having a heart attack was the furthest thing from her mind. However, at midnight when she started to have chest pain and shortness of breath, her husband Ray called 911. When the paramedics arrived, they went to work. As they checked her over, they asked about her medical history. Immediately, Ray pulled a green folder off the fridge and handed it to the firefighter.  The folder that Ray gave to the paramedics is called a Greensleeve and is part of Langley’s MedWatch911 Program. Inside that folder was everything the first responders needed to act right away. 

The MedWatch911 program was developed by the Langley Division of Family Practice (LDFP) and launched in 2016 by a Township of Langley firefighter, Captain Jason Hodge. As an emergency responder he saw the need to have access to a patient’s medical history. He also wanted something that could be used to honour the patient’s wishes regarding their medical treatment during a crisis. He had seen a similar program in the interior called the Vial of Life and he saw how the implementation of this program would benefit both patients, first responders and hospital staff. 

When discharged from hospital, Fraser Health staff provide greensleeve folders to patients. But something that is unique to Langley are the  two green stickers included in the folder. Township of Langley Firefighters and the Langley City Fire and Rescue Services staff have been trained to watch for the green stickers indicating that a greensleeve is located in the home. Inside a greensleeve is a completed MedWatch document and other forms that can speak for a patient who cannot speak for themself. The information includes the patient’s name and care card number, the family doctor’s name and phone number, and emergency contacts. On the back of the form is space to record the patient’s current medications, dosage and prescription date. There is also a section to indicate if they are a caregiver to someone in the home. “For example, the person could be caring for a grandchild so it’s important information in case that person needs to go to the hospital,” explained Captain Hodge. At the minimum, a greensleeve must contain the completed MedWatch form explained Captain Hodge. However, it can include other documents pertaining to a patient’s wishes. These are MOST (Medical Orders Scope of Treatment), a Temporary Substitute decision Maker form, a Representation Agreement, and a No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation( NO CPR) form.

Captain Hodge saw the benefit of this program, but a motivating factor to bring it to fruition was his aging parents. While he was working with LDFP to develop the program, Captain Hodge’s father became very ill. “My father hadn’t recorded his wishes for his end-of-life care, so our family had to make the difficult decisions about what to do next,” he said. It was a situation he didn’t want other families to experience and explained. “A situation like this can be emotionally charged and extremely difficult for both health care professionals and the patient’s family,” he said. Unfortunately, his father passed away prior to the program’s launch.

While Fraser Health staff will provide the patient with a Greensleeve to take home, sometimes the patient isn’t instructed on the best way to utilize this very important tool. This is one of the reasons why the LDFP offer regular workshops on MedWatch911. Captain Hodge works closely with the organization to provide community presentations. While doing these presentations aren’t part of his job, he feels so strongly about the effectiveness of the program that he volunteers his time.

During these presentations, participants are taught about the importance of having the forms filled in correctly. Especially important are the MOST or No DNR forms. They must be current and be signed by a physician. Georgina Steeves related the story of her 90-year-old neighbour ‘Lyle’. He had a greensleeve which indicated that he did not want to be resuscitated. Unfortunately, the form was not signed so the paramedics had to do everything they could to resuscitate Lyle. “They worked on that old man for almost 45 minutes, it was heartbreaking,” said Steeves. “Without the correct documentation, the emergency responders had to exactly what the patient didn’t want,” explained Captain Hodge.

If you wish to learn more about MedWatch911, visit the website at www.medwatch911.ca.  If you want to book a community presentation, call 604-510-5081 or email langleymedwatch@gmail.com. If a MedWatch911 program isn’t available in your community, contact the LDFP to find out how one could be initiated.

Rona was transported to Royal Columbian Hospital where she received a stent. Today she is fully recovered and enjoying an active lifestyle. She attributes the positive outcome to having a Greensleeve and she encourages friends and neighbours to take the time to complete their own. “I believe that the MedWatch document made my communications with the ambulance personnel very simple and accurate. This document, completed at your leisure and signed by your physician ensures that no missed or inaccurate information is passed on in a time of crisis,” said Rona. “Both my husband and I were relieved that we had taken the time to do this simple and necessary task,” she said. “Do it today,” she added with a smile.