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Know Your OI: A Basic Health History
It is important for adults who live with a lifelong medical condition such as OI to have access to their medical history information. Both electronic and paper records can serve the purpose. This document is an outline of information typically needed by an adult who has OI. A form like this can:
• Help parents share health information with their teenager.
• Help adults summarize their own OI health history.
Adults do not need to keep detailed records about every childhood fracture or illness.
In some cases, children’s hospitals will provide a summary of surgeries and treatments when the young adultmoves into the adult care system. This can be a good place to start.
Your personal health profile will continue to evolve over time. Setting up an easy-to-use system to keep track of test results, hospitalizations and treatments is very beneficial. Your primary care doctor or insurance company may have suggestions for appropriate apps or websites. Some people keep pictures of health forms on their cell phones. If you opt to store health information directly on your cell phone, be sure to regularly update and use the password and security functions.
Important Information to Keep Healthcare Providers
- Maintain a list of all of the doctors you see and their contact information.
- This will make it easier to locate them if you need details about a treatment.
Health Insurance
- You will need the exact name and policy number(s) of your current insurance.
- It is a good idea to review coverage at least once a year.
- Also keep a record of your insurance history. You need the names of each company, the policy numbers and the dates you were covered. In many cases it is important to be able to show that you have always been covered.
Orthotics, Equipment, and Medicines
- List the model number, manufacturer and dealer of any equipment you currently use.
- Note where items can be repaired.
- Carry an up-to-date list of all medicines and dietary supplements you currently use.
Family Health Information
- People who are affected by OI are advised to keep a list of relatives who have OI.
- It is a good idea to learn about your family health history. OI does not rule out being at risk for the other health issues that affect adults or that can run in families such as heart disease or cancer.