From KMOV-TV, August 2, 2005

(KMOV) -- In the wake of the London subway bombings an emergency contact system is gaining popularity around the world. It is called ICE, or "In Case of an Emergency."

It becomes a guessing game when a patient arrives at the Barnes-Jewish Emergency Department without an ID and unable to speak.

A program started in England, called ICE, offers workers information when the patient can''t. An emergency contact is stored in a cell phone under the heading ICE.

Adding the information to your cell phone is simple. Add a contact in your address book, and then type in I-C-E followed by the name, and then a number.

Remember, the person you list in ice could be making medical decisions for you.

Dr. Mark Levine is medical director for St. Louis City EMS and a physician in the Barnes-Jewish ER. He says patients that are unable to communicate are a continual problem. That makes treating them more difficult. ICE could clear up some of the confusion.

St. Louis city fire department and EMS is reviewing ICE and will probably promote it in the future.

Emergency management officials say ICE is a definitely good idea, but they are leaving it up to individual police and fire departments to implement the system.