Do patients really know about themselves?

I was sitting in a patient waiting room today and overheard one patient ask the person with them, "What is that medicine I am allergic to?" The two then proceeded to try to remember which medication it was and listening to them was frightening. The lack of knowledge about something so important serves as a reminder to caregivers:

Be sure to stress the importance to patients that they keep a list of allergies in their wallet and that it applies to any allergy, not just medication.

Question patients carefully regarding allergies and the reactions experienced to the allergic incidents. And document everything.