Question about emergency contacts.

[clh2]

Hello, I’m just curious about something.

My dad had an emergency situation this week. The hospital called me and my two sisters. And then, the police also reached out to me.

My dad only had my mom as in ICE contact, but she passed away earlier this year.

How did they get his contact info? I’m glad they were able to get it, I’m just wondering how.

(And yes, we will be updating this in his phone.)

 

[PollyannaMom]

Your numbers were probably listed with his medical info, so it likely came up when they entered his insurance.

 

[Kitty 34]

I would ask the hospital.

Hope your Dad is OK. It was this month last year we went thru a similar situation when my Dad fell.

 

[lanejudy]

Was he able to provide names? Then the police probably looked you up. You and your sisters were likely in his “recent” calls.

I hope he’s doing ok and will recover quickly.

 

[clh2]

We definitely would have been in recent calls. He was not coherent enough to provide names.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

There is not reason to ask here and get "maybe it was because of xyz".

Just ask the hospital staff if they can find out for you more out of curiosity since you're not sure.

 

[disneychrista]

How the hell did some random person get my cell phone number looking for my sister who I haven’t spoken to in 4 years?


In your case the hospital probably has you listen as next of kin.

 

[DisneyHardin]

If he had been to that hospital before or if his regular doctors are connected to that hospital, then I would say that is how they got your numbers because they were probably in his file.

 

[jdb in AZ]

A friend and her DH were killed in an auto accident. The police called their DD who was able to be on scene before they passed. I later asked her how the police knew to call her and she said her name and phone number were listed as next of kin in the hospital records from her mom's previous visit.

 

[tvguy]

How the hell did some random person get my cell phone number looking for my sister who I haven’t spoken to in 4 years?


In your case the hospital probably has you listen as next of kin.

They wouldn't know you hadn't spoken in 4 years, but she will always be linked to you in places because you are siblings.
There are information services like Lexus-Nexus that have huge databases linking people to each other and to addresses and phone numbers. We used that at work to find people. I searched my mom's name and they had her linked to a house and phone number of a house that they sold in 1960. But that information is still public record on the deed of that house.
Of course that information isn't always correct or as in your case, current. We have been getting a couple phone calls a week on our landline from companies wanting to talk to our son about his house in another city 400 miles from here. He hasn't lived with us in 12 years, and our phone number has never been associated with his house, but somewhere some information company has made the link. They have only owned the house two years.

 

[barkley]

we were contacted about an estranged family member b/c the hospital looked at everyplace HIS name popped up in their records search and found he was at one brief point in time the emergency contact for another of our family members. that family member had also listed us (same last names as ours as well) so the hospital gave it try.

 

[fla4fun]

Thank you OP for the timely reminder to make sure our ICE contact information is up to date. Having the right person listed can save valuable time in reaching the side of a loved one who is injured.

 

[clh2]

Thank you OP for the timely reminder to make sure our ICE contact information is up to date. Having the right person listed can save valuable time in reaching the side of a loved one who is injured.

Well said! Between my 2 sisters and me, getting ICE on my dad’s phone never crossed our minds.

It is possible through the health network where he was initially admitted that throughout the years, our contact info got added.

 

[disneychrista]

They wouldn't know you hadn't spoken in 4 years, but she will always be linked to you in places because you are siblings.
There are information services like Lexus-Nexus that have huge databases linking people to each other and to addresses and phone numbers. We used that at work to find people. I searched my mom's name and they had her linked to a house and phone number of a house that they sold in 1960. But that information is still public record on the deed of that house.
Of course that information isn't always correct or as in your case, current. We have been getting a couple phone calls a week on our landline from companies wanting to talk to our son about his house in another city 400 miles from here. He hasn't lived with us in 12 years, and our phone number has never been associated with his house, but somewhere some information company has made the link. They have only owned the house two years.

I don't even think SHE has my cell phone number. I know I have never given it to her and I don't have hers either.

I assume that it was someone who she owes money to so they very well could have used Lexus-Nexus.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Prayers your dad is okay, Clh2 and a hug for you. Thank you also for this important phone reminder.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

With electronic communication today there are many ways authorities can track down numbers of relatives. As others have mentioned, if either 1) the man was connected to the hospital before, numbers stay on file, or, 2) if the hospital has electronic communication with regular doctor’s offices, that information can be pulled up, too. Police also have their own ways to look things up.

But this is a really good reminder to update your emergency contacts regularly, especially if any of them become incapacitated themselves or pass away.

We had a situation in the hospital not too long ago where someone was found down at home and only by chance discovered, was very ill and confused. Turned out his health care proxy had passed away months earlier, and he was deemed unable to appoint another due to his mental capacity, so at that point a legal guardian has to be appointed by the courts and that takes a long time. Meanwhile, unless things improve the person can linger in the hospital for a long time. In this particular case the patient improved somewhat and wanted to leave but couldn’t. The health care proxy could’ve helped make decisions and the patient could’ve moved on had there been one in place.

Another situation we saw recently was a relatively young person with no health care proxy in place. Same thing, mentally incapacitated and unable to appoint someone, and multiple family members infighting about who could visit, who information could be given to, decision making, etc. Clearly there was one person he was closest to but without legal documentation or improved cognition, it didn’t matter.

If you go into the hospital and they give you the form, fill it out. It will stay on file electronically, so if there are changes, have them updated. And be sure that the person you appoint not only knows your wishes, but has the courage to see them through if it comes to that. Sometimes people know what someone wants, but can’t go through with it. It’s not an easy job so choose accordingly.

 

[Gracedis1]

When my dad fell on vacation and was unconscious, they went through his wallet and found my sisters business card. They called her number from that. It's a good idea to have an emergency contact number in your wallet just in case they can't access your phone or other records.

 

[barkley]

I assume that it was someone who she owes money to so they very well could have used Lexus-Nexus.

oh lord-i used to get tons of these due to one of my sibs. I recall getting into a rather heated discussion with one creditor and asking how they got my phone number in the first place. I was told that my sib had listed me as a 'reference' when he had originally applied to which I went off (they were being nasty with me from the start of the call) and explained that if they had called me for a 'reference' before they had issued the credit I would have told them NOT to, would have pointed out all the unpaid debts he already had, how the only reason he had any recent good credit was b/c he had talked our mother into letting him be listed as an authorized user on a couple of her credit cards that she always paid in full each month. 'reference'????

 

[disneychrista]

oh lord-i used to get tons of these due to one of my sibs. I recall getting into a rather heated discussion with one creditor and asking how they got my phone number in the first place. I was told that my sib had listed me as a 'reference' when he had originally applied to which I went off (they were being nasty with me from the start of the call) and explained that if they had called me for a 'reference' before they had issued the credit I would have told them NOT to, would have pointed out all the unpaid debts he already had, how the only reason he had any recent good credit was b/c he had talked our mother into letting him be listed as an authorized user on a couple of her credit cards that she always paid in full each month. 'reference'????

If I ever get another phone call like that I am definitely going to ask how they got my number and exactly why they were calling. It just took me by surprise plus I was at work and my boss was right next to me at the time. The only reason I called was because it was the second call in 2 minutes, so I thought MAYBE it was actually important. I didn't answer the phone a couple months ago from an unknown number and it was my Uncle's best friend informing me that he had passed that afternoon.