HARRY HUGHES, Governor

3297

WHEREAS, The VIAL OF LIFE program is essentially a
medical information storage system in which vital medical
facts about a person are contained in a vial which is stored
in the refrigerator in a specific location; and

WHEREAS, In the case of a medical emergency at home,
where a person may be found alone, unconscious, and
physically unable to communicate — the VIAL OF LIFE program
will provide paramedics with lifesaving information about
possible reasons for their condition. Rescue personnel will
be trained to look for the information, and a label on the
outside of the refrigerator will alert them to the fact that
the vial is inside; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being used by paramedics at
home and in the ambulance enroute to the hospital, the
medical form can also be used by nurses and physicians in
the emergency room; and

WHEREAS, This potentially lifesaving program has a
functional flaw in it, in that ambulance and fire companies
are reluctant to utilize it due to the many variations in
materials and format. Presently, there are about 20
different programs in existence around the State; and

WHEREAS, The Central Maryland Health Systems Agency,
the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services
Systems (MIEMSS) has designed a new standard medical form
which can be used by both new and existing programs and this
form has been approved for use by the American College of
Emergency Physicians, the Maryland State Ambulance and
Rescue Association, and the Maryland State Fireman's
Association; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That it
would be in the best interest of both the citizens and
rescue teams of Maryland for programs to use the approved
standard materials and program format; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all counties in the State of Maryland be
urged to participate in and adopt the standard VIAL OF LIFE
materials and program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be sent to all
county executives, the Honorable Harry Hughes, Governor of
Maryland, the Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin, Speaker of the
House of Delegates, and the Honorable James Clark, Jr.,
President of the Senate of the Maryland General Assembly.

Signed April 22, 1980.

No. 10