Paperwork: Quick Tips
- Store external drives and hardcopies of important papers in a fireproof and water-resistant file organizer, container or storage bag, with a trusted friend or relative, or in a safety deposit box at a bank.
- Digitize hard copies and save electronic copies of important papers in a password-protected format to a flash or external hard drive or a secure cloud service.
- Download and/or bookmark online versions of user manuals for your home use medical devices, such as blood glucose meters and insulin pumps.
- Make an up-to-date list of all prescription medications and necessary medical supplies. Write down dosing instructions, the names of generic equivalents, and known allergies.
- Pet owners: Make copies of important veterinary recordspdf icon, such as a rabies certificate, vaccinations, prescriptions, a recent photograph of your pet(s), and microchip registration information (e.g., microchip number, and name and number of the manufacturer).
- Request your medical recordexternal icon from your health care provider to help you understand, advocate for, and manage your health care.
- Use a personal health recordexternal icon to maintain and manage your health information (and that of others for whom they are authorized) in a private, secure, and confidential environment.
- Proofread your important paperwork, like medical recordsexternal icon, for errors and missing or unclear information that could cause misunderstanding or affect your health care. Nearly 1 in 10 people who check their online health record ask to have a mistake corrected.
- Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative.
Page last reviewed: August 17, 2020, 02:25 PM
Content source: Office of Readiness and Response