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The Patient Care Card: FAQ's

Patient Care Card

1. What is the Patient Care Card?
The Patient Care Card is the size of a credit card and is imprinted with personal medical data provided by the individual (such as insurance, blood type and medical history information of your choice) that can be readily accessed by healthcare professionals at Northern Nevada Medical Center.

2. How do I get one?
The fastest way is to apply online at www.nnmc.com -- it only takes a few minutes. If you don’t have internet access, you can request a paper application by calling 351-CARE. Applications also are available at Northern Nevada Medical Center and a number of participating physicians’ offices.

3. Why should I get one?
This small but powerful card means more efficient access to care and, most importantly, peace of mind in a medical emergency. When the card is swiped through a card reader at the hospital or participating providers’ office, staff can access the data, thereby speeding admissions and reducing paperwork. Imagine not having to worry about where you left your child’s immunization records, or your parents’ current list of medications. Many parents also place cards in their children’s backpacks and give them to babysitters or daycare providers, and you can keep one in your pocket if you jog or cycle…just in case.

4. Does it cost anything?
The card is provided free as a community service of Northern Nevada Medical Center. We encourage you to keep the card updated, and replacements also are free.

5. Do I need to be a previous patient of Northern Nevada Medical Center or an associated physician or on a certain health plan to apply for the card?
Northern Nevada Medical Center believes the Patient Care Card will elevate the efficiency of healthcare for the entire community, so we’ve made the card available to anyone who applies, regardless of hospital, physician or health plan affiliation.

6. Is there a deadline or expiration date to sign up?
Northern Nevada Medical Center is offering the Patient Card as an ongoing benefit to anyone who applies, with no deadline or expiration date.

7. Why is Northern Nevada Medical Center providing this service?
We feel this is an important benefit that will save time, ease stress and improve your experience whenever you or a family member are a patient here. It also helps our staff obtain your personal health information more quickly and accurately.

8. Is the card accepted anywhere except Northern Nevada Medical Center?
In addition to the hospital and its diagnostic imaging facilities at Vista Diagnostic Center North and Vista Diagnostic Center South, a growing list of doctors’ offices also can swipe the card to obtain all the information that you have placed on your electronic Patient Care Card record. However, whenever and wherever you find yourself or a family member in a medical emergency, a tremendous amount of data can be held on the card, so it remains very helpful to any healthcare professional, including ambulance paramedics. And it’s beneficial in non-emergencies, too; think of the convenience of having your children’s immunizations listed on the back of the card when registering for school!

9. Can information be stored in the electronic record but not printed on the card?
You choose what information you want printed on the card and what information is on the electronic record. All supplied information is retrieved when the data is accessed electronically.

10. Is my personal health information safe online?
Northern Nevada Medical Center’s patient data systems are securely protected to the highest standards in the industry. Only you and your healthcare provider can access the information that you place on the card or in the electronic record.