Newark Hospital Says ‘Vial Of Life’ Can Protect Vulnerable People

NEWARK, NJ — It’s known as the “Vial of Life,” and it can help safeguard many Newark residents – including the 95-year-old mother of the city’s public safety director.

Earlier this month, Saint Michael’s Medical Center announced the launch of the life-saving program, which will provide Vial of Life kits to thousands of people throughout Newark in the near future.

The kits will help first responders and Saint Michael’s staff to tackle a major issue: treating patients who arrive at the hospital without their medical information.

Each kit contains identifying information, including medical conditions, allergies, current medications, plus vitamins and supplements, doctor's contact information and whom to notify in a medical emergency. Patients can also include advance directives, EKG’s, “do not resuscitate” orders and any other pertinent health information that may give doctors the upper hand in an emergency situation.

Participating in the Vial of Life program is simple, hospital administrators said. Once people fill out their medical information, it’s placed into a bag that is hung on their refrigerator door. A red Vial of Life sticker is placed on their front door so first responders will know that medical information is readily available.

Working with Newark’s public safety department and first responders, Saint Michael’s Medical Center plans to distribute the kits to its patients, as well as at local doctors’ offices and health fairs.

Those who may benefit from the initiative include Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose’s mother, who recently turned 95 and has experienced medical emergencies in the past.

“I'm going to take one of these kits and my mother is going to be the first one to have a red sticker on the door,” Ambrose said.

Ambrose was joined Wednesday at the unveiling of the Vial of Life by public safety officials and first responders from Newark and the surrounding communities. Harrison Mayor James Fife, Harrison Fire Chief Harold Stahl and East Orange Public Safety Director Domingos Saldida were also present to show their support for the program.

“The Vial of Life is a recognized means for emergency service personnel to obtain urgent medical information in the prehospital setting,” said John Grembowiec, director of EMS at University Hospital, which provides EMS coverage for the City of Newark.

“In these life and death moments, we need to know as much as possible about our patients, and every second counts,” Grembowiec said. “We applaud Saint Michael’s Medical Center for deploying this life-saving strategy for the people of Newark.”

According to Saint Michael’s CEO Robert Iannaccone, the program will be a big boost for vulnerable populations in the city, including senior citizens, people living alone and residents with special needs.

“It's an opportunity to talk about your health, document your health and also have that tough discussion concerning a healthcare directive or a health care proxy,” Iannaccone said.

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