ABOUT THE BOOK:

Stay On Track is a guide to recording one’s personal health information.  It includes everything significant about your medical history from birth through what is happening with you now and extends into your planning for the future.  You might already have a system for keeping records of your medications and health information, or you might have thought it is a good idea and didn’t know where to begin.  In either case, you can follow the step-by-step instructions to putting together your own Personal Health Information book.  A list of supplies needed for your personal information book is provided on page 19.  For your convenience, here is the list:

·       Ring binder—one, preferably 1 or 1 ½ inch rings and a clear insertable cover on the front 

(You can be as economical or as fancy as you want with this.  A very convenient binder would be one that zips closed and has handles for carrying.)

·       Tabbed page dividers with five in the set—one set

(As you begin entering reports, instructions, and documents into your book, you might wish to add more dividers or just page tabs to help you easily find what you are looking for.)

·       Clear page protectors—you will need a couple of these early on, and more as you add to your book. 

(These will be used primarily for reports, instructions, and documents that you want to keep in good condition long-term.  You could even place all your pages in protectors if you desire.  Some stores even have page protectors with tabs.)

·       Pocket dividers—maybe one or two 

(These come in handy for brochures, CD’s of medical test reports, and other small items.  Some of these, also, can be found with tabs.)

·       Clear insertable business card pages—two or three  

(You will place these in the front of your information book to organize appointment cards and business cards for your doctors, out-patient therapy centers, etc.  Placing a blank white page behind each business card page aids in reading the cards in the pockets of that page.)

·       Ball-point pen 

(I recommend having at least one that you will keep in your information book so you can readily update information as you visit doctors or have any procedure or test done.)

·       One copy of each form in the “FORMS” section of the Stay On Track book 

(Please make copies before entering information as you will need additional copies of some of the forms.  You can either open the book flat to place on your copier or carefully tear out the forms for copying.)

·       A three-hole paper punch 

(You will need to punch holes in your copies to insert into your information book.)

A list of items “recommended for later” is also included on page 19.  You can use any of these or even other items to personalize your own Personal Health Information book as you desire and as the need arises.