Medical ID Tags, Bracelets

I just ordered one of those "dog tag" medical alert tags to be engraved and put basic info on it for the time being because I was not sure what I would put on the bracelet's and not sure I would actually wear it. The tag allowed me 5 lines and comes with a key chain type attachment which I plan to attach to my purse. this is what I put on it.

Multiple Sclerosis
Blood Type: A Neg
Medications:
Extavia, Depo-Provera
Topiramate, Tramadol

Those are what I consider my pertinant information at the moment - what do you guys think? If I were to do a bracelet with only 4 lines would you just take out the "medications" line? What do you have on yours if you have one?

I looked in the search column and it really didn't bring me up much as far as it being discussed in the past - I do think this is an important thing to have if you are diagnosed or not so that emergency personel know you have neurological problems. Sorry for any spelling issues, having major cog problems lately! Inquiring minds want to know.

MeLissa

[HVAC]

I just keep a folded sheet in my wallet with all info plus contact and Doctors. I like this because my medications change all the time. Plus I can copy this off the computer and give to Drs. when I have appointments so I do not have to fill it all out. My husband carries the same paper in his wallet for me.

Alex

[Audrey_M]

MeLissa:

I would definitely keep the medications line; if you were unconscious you would want medical professionals to know your meds to prevent any possible negative drug interactions. You might want to consider listing meds on the same line as "Medications" and then figure out how many spaces you have per line to get it right. If you have room, list your physician.

Like Alex, I had an emergency card with this information in my wallet. The advantage that Alex has over most of us females is that men tend to carry their wallets on their person, where most women carry wallets in their purses.

As for keeping this on your purse, I would strongly recommend against it. Wear it on your wrist and keep it there at all times. I was dx with DVT (blood clots) last year and wore a medic alert bracelet until I came off the blood thinners.

It you got into a car accident where your purse was separated from you or had your purse stolen, the bracelet would not do you any good at all.

Audrey

[Ginosmommy]

Thanks for the thoughts. I plan on keeping the actual list of my medications just taking off the word "Medications" off of it if it didn't fit. My husband brought up the same thing about not putting it on my purse because I don't always have my purse with me so I might just put this on my key chain since I always have my keys no matter where I am.

This item is just temporary until I decide which type of bracelet I might want or if I might just prefer to carry a card and give my hubby a copy. He seems to think they can just look everything up - not thinking if we are in a car accident and cannot speak (not being taken to our network of doctors - he's such a goof ball sometimes!)

I even mentioned to him that he didn't know half of the medications I was on and he didn't think that it was that important - I said you don't think it's important that they know I am on a DMD for MS? He was all like Oh I guess so... silly! He's still getting used to me being diagnosed so most of this seems unimportant to him I guess, I am still in the very cautious mode.

I would love more thoughts on this - anyone?

[Growing2Boys]

Hello,
I bought the tags & I made my own bracelets. I have leather, water proof for sports & beaded for nights out.
I turn the metal tag in to me so it's not so obvious. Trust me they will find your tag in the ER when they go to start an IV if it's on your wrist. I NEVER carry a purse. I'm a put a key in my pocket & chase after my kids kind of girl. My main concern was medications that would cause problems if I missed doses & my husbands cell phone number, so that is the only info I have on mine. (& of course my full name)

I feel a bit like a cow with an ear tag when I wear it, but I don't want to go into siezures from missed meds

Sarah

[Lulu54]

I have wavered back and forth about getting a medical id done - I would list my heart attack/condition and my MS if I had one.  I do carry a printed list in my wallet for easy reference.  I also have significant numbers marked on my cell phone, including my neurologist.

I would not worry about listing blood type unless you have an extremely rare one, because they will not do any blood work without crosstyping your blood.  Period.

I would not list my DMD - if I do or don't take it on a timely manner it is not critical to my life.  We can live without our DMD's, so why clutter up the information with something that isn't essential?  

Actually there is very little information that we can carry on us that medical or emergency personnel would use - I think just the basics of medical conditions is enough.  My husband has an artificial hip and everytime we travel he sets off the alarms.  He carries an ID card on him identifying the body part, but as the TSA folks have said more than once, anybody can make up a card or id.  It's up to them to find out independently what is going on.  I think the same philosophy holds for EMTs and ER workers.

The updated list in your wallet is probably more essential - like Alex said, you can make changes to that as your health situtation evolves.  

In thinking this through, if I had a medical ID inscribed - I would include my name, an emergency contact number ( someone who doesn't live with me - like a sibling or grown child), and my medical condition(s).

I can understand the cautious mode, especially since this is all so new to you.  Your husband's idea of centralized medical records is a great one - if you live in the right states in the US, they exist.  I wish they were everywhere, but unfortunately there are lots of opponents to this idea.

more than my two cents,
Lulu

[Audrey_M]

MeLissa:

Have you had fun shopping for the bracelets? When I went online, I was so tempted to buy the platinum bracelet with diamonds for only $4,200! I just wasn't sure how much my insurance would cover.

I ended up getting a stainless steel bracelet for around $30.

Audrey

[Lulu54]

Sarah makes another good point that I wanted to include - anyone who ventures out to job, run or bike needs to carry some form of identification on their person, just in case there is a problem.  This is for everyone, not just those people who have a serious illness.

[Zacksmomi]

The only thing I have considered getting an ID for would be specific MS conditions.
I have nystgmus in my right eye and my pupils often stay dialated on their own.  I would want emergency personel to know this and not think I am drunk or high.  

Also I think if you have any limbs other parts that are often numb, this could lead EMT's to make the wrong conclusion, so you may want to list that.  

Obviously any meds that would be harmful to miss, allergies, adverse reactions to meds and serious other conditions are something I would list on my person if it were an issue.  

Otherwise, I have been meaning to follow Alex's advice.  She mentioned the paper in the wallet and on file for Dr's a while ago and I still havn't done it.  

I have not written it all down yet but I intend to do so this weekend.  

That is what I think...seems to be the same as everyone else :)

Oh and as for husbands, mine is great, but he seems to think the answer for spasticity is exercise.  They take training normally, so you gotta figure MS is is just an extra lesson for them.  LOL!!

take care
D

[Sailorsong]

First of all mine would need to be 2 feet by 3 feet in size just to list my allergies :)

A couple of months ago I saw an ad on TV ( I no longer get any TV) about some company that uses a web site to keep track of your meds ( suppose to be secure?) and you carry a medical alert braclet that has your ID number and there phone number. The EMT just calls the number and gives them the ID and then can access all of the medical stuff you have put on the web site ( Alergies (allergies), current meds, etc.).

Dennis

[Rena705]

I am seriously considering getting a bracelet due to my Asthma and COPD and all the meds I am on.  My gp's office is so ridiculously behind in the times they haven't even started to put patient's information on a computer system so that is something that is not even worth looking at!  My Mom just got one as she is on blood thinners and has pulmonary fibrosis so it is imperative that this info is available.  

Now, the next step will be to gather up all my old gold and have someone melt it down and take out the REAL gold and then I can either sell it so I can have enough money to buy one OR they can make me one out of the old gold that I have lying around!  hehe

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[Wind_and_Water]

I like the idea of a bracelet, with an emergency contact, plus a list of major health conditions that could cause a life-threatening situation (such as medication allergies or contra-indications).

However, I'm not a fan of the electronic databases of medical records (sorry Lulu).

The usual risks are identity theft, extortion, and ruined reputations (care to have your psychiatric diagnoses revealed?  how about your AIDS?  or your history of substance abuse?  you get the idea).

But there's a health risk, too.  Medical identity thieves are tampering with and altering the actual medial information, in order to steal medical services for themselves.  This is very dangerous, especially in emergency situations when the doctors don't have time to verify your allergies and so on.

These articles describe some of the safety & security problems with electronic medical records...

(1)   Example of a single data breach.  A former employee of MedicAlert stole 10,000 patient records from their database;  she had worked for MedicAlert for 6 years;  she was the manager of the MedicAlert call center.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2007/09/01/v-print/127094/ex-medicalert-employee-had-record.html

(2)   Widespread data breaches.  "Data Hemorrhages in the Health-Care Sector," a research report prepared by M. Eric Johnson (Professor of Science of Administration, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth;  Director of the Glassmeyer/McNamee Center for Digital Strategies).
http://patientprivacyrights.org/media/JohnsonHemorrhagesFC09d.pdf

(3)   Government databases are not secure, either.  For example, Virginia discovered its State prescription drug database was hacked.  "35 million of the most sensitive prescription records [such as for Oxycontin, Valium, Vicodin and Ritalin] were accessed."
http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/state_regional/article/virginia_computer_security_breach_halts_some_painkiller_prescriptions/17341/

"[The hackers] deleted records on more than 8 million patients and replaced the site's homepage with a ransom note demanding $10 million for the return of the records."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/05/hackers_break_into_virginia_he.html

(4)  Lack of medical data security was already known to be a serious problem under the Bush administration, as reported in the New York Times in 2007.  (I only wish the NY Times was as vigilant in reporting the ongoing security problems under a Democratic president, today, as they were under a Republican president.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/washington/18health.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

(5)   "The Syndrome of Inappropriate Overconfidence
in Computing" appears in the Summer 2009 issue of "The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons."  The author is a physician and his views are representative of a growing number of medical professionals.
http://www.jpands.org/vol14no2/silverstein.pdf

(6)   Also, you should learn about certain clauses in the software vendor contracts.

The Non-disclosure Clauses "prohibit health care providers and their facilities from sharing information outside of their facilities regarding product defects and other HIT product-related concerns."  Hiding software defects surely results in unnecessary injury and death.
http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/grassley-vendor-gag-orders-prevent-hit-issues-being-reported-and-resolved/2010-01-25

And there's the Hold Harmless Clause.  "Health care information technology (HIT) vendors enjoy a contractual and legal structure that renders them virtually liability free—"hold harmless" is the term of art—even when their proprietary products may be implicated in adverse events involving patients."
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/301/12/1276



Just some things to think about, before participating in an electronic medical records (EMR) database.  :)

[tyler911]

Hi

I actually carry a small ubs medical alert stick that can be plugged into any computer,

it has the medical logo on the front and, I have scanned every single one of my tests docs notes etc and prescriptions onto the memory stick,

All my medications are listed, the dosage and also previous medications, and why i stopped them

The memory stick can be worn as a necklace or a bracelet, they are not the cheapest of devices, but certainly hold everything a medic or doc would ever need to know about you, in the event of an emergency,

It can be updated by you at any time, i do mine weekly or after each docs visit, I always ask now for a copy of the docs notes and any tests ordered, scan them and then add it to the memory stick

Just thought I would add another avenue, as I do know that a lot of the medical bracelets do not give you enough room to add everything

tyler

[GrannyJo6]

I have had a bracelet for a number of years and this discussion reminds me that I need to update the info! Mine is fairly small and only has the 1-800 number on it to call and my health concerns and member number. Everything else is available to emergency room personel or EMTs when they call. I also can print off a page that lists everything like meds, etc. I've given it to doctors, even my dentist and they have all been glad to have it! I've had if off for awhile - I must have had some procedure that required all metal off. Who can remember? Anyway, I've never had to use it, but after this latest exacerbatiion I think I'd better get it updated and back on my wrist! I was with people who know me, but what if I'd been at the mall or out for a walk? Yes, I think they are a good idea and they have some quite attractive pendants and bracelets available. It is worth the price for me!

[tonyad]

   I think that you have a Great Idea!  I too as everyone else have thought about getting one also but have been dragging my feet on this...

    So, good for you in taking action and getting it done :)
I agree that the purse thing is not always a great idea becasue I, like several of you had mentioned, do not carry my purse becasue my arms and shoulders feel just way to weak to tote a purse around!  

    Let us know when you get it and how you like it....OH ya, I like the idea of it being either a keychain or a necklace  (you did say that didn't you?..Lol sorry, can't remember).

Take Care,
~Tonya

[cydpink]

Hi all

I know in the UK that the MS Society produce a wallet sized card which states that you have the condition and also that you need help.

I keep a similar card in my wallet which I made myself and laminated - it explains what medication I'm on and what in particular happens to me - I get tired/confused, need the bathroom urgently etc.

I also wear a Medic Alert braclet and have that information on my card and that in an emergency to try the ICE (In Case of Emergency) number on my mobile phone so my next of kin will know whats happening.  All emergency personnel are supposed to be trained to check the ICE number on your phone.

Big Hugs
x

[jean_619]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a resource for attractive looking IDs -- either bracelet or necklace?

Thanks,
Jean

[GrannyJo6]

I have used medicalert.org and found them to be very user friendly. I think with membership you get a plain bracelet but you can go all out and get platinum and who knows what else! They do have a wide range of bracelets, necklaces, etc. I need to go there today and update my files and pay my annual dues! I'm sure others have their own favorites!

[Quixotic1]

This is a wonderful discussion!

FYI - Alex (HVAC) is a woman and is one of the few HVAC-certified women in her field.  Bravo!

If you have spasticity or unequal pupils or things that would show up on an exam if you were unconscious, it would be important for EMT personel to know.

Quix

[hbananas]

Emergency info for your phone, too!

Emergency personnel are taught to check a person's phone for contacts labeled ICE (In Case of Emergency).  I have a few ICE contacts in my phone, such as:
ICE-Spouse
ICE-Home
ICE-Medications (my smart phone has a place for notes, since it synchs with MS Outlook)

I'd better check-should probably have an entry for the PCP and the neuro, too.

So they would appear first thing on my list, I preceded them with **

This is not to suggest phone entries would replace an ID.  Just another layer.

hbananas