EMT's, nurses, medical people......odd question

[LisaR]

I realize I may be over-thinking this.

DH wears a medical alert necklace because he is allergic to 3 different medications.

He now has a rare blood disease that needs to be added to his medallion. Do I add it to the back of the current one (can't fit it on the front) or do I get a new one for the blood disorder and keep the separate one for the allergies (all on the same chain)?

If there is an emergency and you see a medic alert medallion, is it routine to look at both sides? Right now, if there was an emergency and someone noticed his tag, if the blank side was facing up, you would know to flip it over to see what his problems are. If he has information on BOTH sides of the medallion, would you automatically flip it over just to make sure there isn't more info on the other side?

See, I told you I may be over thinking this.

 

[englishteacha]

That's a great question. I'll be anxious to know the answer.

 

[JessicaR]

My sons tag is printed on both sides - the first side at the bottom says 'over'.
You can also print, 'more on back'.

Found some pics.

http://www.oneida-medical-jewelry.com/bracelets.html

Oh and I was told that medical staff looks around the neck more so than bracelets.

 

[LisaR]

My sons tag is printed on both sides - the first side at the bottom says 'over'.
You can also print, 'more on back'.

Found some pics.

http://www.oneida-medical-jewelry.com/bracelets.html

Oh and I was told that medical staff looks around the neck more so than bracelets.

Thanks Jessica. I was also told the necklace is better than the bracelet, as well. Unfortunately, there isn't any room for "over" on his necklace. Both the allergies and the blood disorder are long worded. I told him next time he has an issue, make sure it is under six letters.

 

[Bren's Mom]

If you can't fit it all I'd rather see 2 medallions on one chain. Each having the medic alert symbol on the front, and the info on the other side.

 

[honugirl]

Now I've always been told the opposite from what you guys have been told. I've always been told that they look for bracelets more than necklaces. Maybe it's a regional difference?

Anyway, I'd get more than one charm or sign up for something like medic alert that you can put basic info on the medallion and have more detailed info for when they call the 1-800 number.

Good luck! I'm thinking about doing both a necklace and a bracelet to wear at all times after my surgery.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Honestly, EMS crews in the field really don't have time to call 800 #s. The ER staff might do it, but not a field crew.

And I was always taught to look for anything with a medic alert symbol on it. Wrists, necks, ankles, tags on running shoes...check everywhere quickly. We'll see a necklace easily if you're unconscious...we'll be ripping your shirt open to put AED pads or a monitor or to see if there is any sign of trauma.

 

[LisaR]

Honestly, EMS crews in the field really don't have time to call 800 #s. The ER staff might do it, but not a field crew.

And I was always taught to look for anything with a medic alert symbol on it. Wrists, necks, ankles, tags on running shoes...check everywhere quickly. We'll see a necklace easily if you're unconscious...we'll be ripping your shirt open to put AED pads or a monitor or to see if there is any sign of trauma.

I was searching for another medallion for my husband and saw that they now make a USB alert. The tag has the basic info on it but it can be plugged into a computer for more details. I get that some people have a lot of issues that can't fit on a tag but I can't imagine EMS or anyone in the ER would really have the time for that.

 

[minkydog]

If you can't fit the word on the back of the bracelet then you might want to opt for a second medallion. I wouldn't worry too much about EMTs not seeing the necklace--the first thing they do when they come on the scene is attach EKG leads which requires opening the shirt and looking at the chest. DH wears a medic alert medallion on his neck, with a "Christ the teacher" medal. DS14 also wears a medic alert around his neck. He has recently developed allergies to penicillin and cephalexin, both first line drugs, and he's nonverbal so he really needs an updated tag. Unfortunately there's not enough room on his current tag--it has our name and cell number because he's a "runner" and has gotten away from us and from school a few times. Can't be too careful with that one!

 

[luvdzny]

Honestly, EMS crews in the field really don't have time to call 800 #s. The ER staff might do it, but not a field crew.

I can understand that time is a big factor with EMS crews, but DD has a huge list of medications & medical conditions that could not possibly fit on even 3 or 4 tags. She has a medic alert bracelet, but it sounds like that may not help. Any suggestions?

 

[disfan07]

I have information on both the front and teh back of my medical alert bracelet.
One of my nurses who used to be an EMT todl me that they will look at both sides of the bracelet and/or necklace. They will also look in a wallet for additional information but they will most likely not call any 800# for more information...it takes too much time in the field

 

[honugirl]

I can understand that time is a big factor with EMS crews, but DD has a huge list of medications & medical conditions that could not possibly fit on even 3 or 4 tags. She has a medic alert bracelet, but it sounds like that may not help. Any suggestions?

This is my issue too. Not many people have no adrenal glands and most EMS personnel are not briefed on how to take care of it. You wouldn't believe how many times even ER doctors don't understand what I need! Even my PCP doesn't understand my med regimen. I cannot fit the list of medications in the order that I need them plus the specific labs that are to be done on a bracelet or a necklace. If they won't call medic alert, then what is someone in my position supposed to do? I have written instructions tucked in with my emergency meds, but if they're in such a hurry, will they even read that? What if they leave my instructions at the scene? My ER docs won't know what to do and I'm in trouble.

I've been going to the local fire stations with cookies and trying to introduce them to my medications so that they aren't seeing them for the first time when I'm in crisis, but it's slow going. I'm not sure what else to do...

 

[minkydog]

This is my issue too. Not many people have no adrenal glands and most EMS personnel are not briefed on how to take care of it. You wouldn't believe how many times even ER doctors don't understand what I need! Even my PCP doesn't understand my med regimen. I cannot fit the list of medications in the order that I need them plus the specific labs that are to be done on a bracelet or a necklace. If they won't call medic alert, then what is someone in my position supposed to do? I have written instructions tucked in with my emergency meds, but if they're in such a hurry, will they even read that? What if they leave my instructions at the scene? My ER docs won't know what to do and I'm in trouble.

I've been going to the local fire stations with cookies and trying to introduce them to my medications so that they aren't seeing them for the first time when I'm in crisis, but it's slow going. I'm not sure what else to do...

I think the best you can do is make a 1 page Important Information form to keep in your wallet. My husband has a complicated health history, way more than he or I can remember in an emergency. He has on it all his meds, allergies, history of surgical procedures and hospitalizations, and all his specialists. He keeps it to one page and keeps it updated every few weeks. DH has been to the ER several times so sick he couldn't communicate. All we have to do is rifle his wallet for the form and hand it over--instant recognition.

DH does wear a medic alert medallion, but it doesn't go into detail. It just says "Heart/lung disease/pacemaker". You have to pick and choose the info that is THE most important.

 

[PatsMom]

My medallion lists the primary issues that could affect emergency care (COPD, Diabetes). I have a line that says "medication list in wallet" and I make sure I have an updated list at all times. My doctor's office has computerized records so they can easily print me a new one whenever something changes. Then I reduce it on a copy machine so it fits on a half sheet of paper and put it in my wallet. I also have a card my diabetes educator gave to me which indicates I am an insulin dependent diabetic.

I can't imagine trying to list all of my medications on a medallion. They would never fit!

 

[torinsmom]

I can understand that time is a big factor with EMS crews, but DD has a huge list of medications & medical conditions that could not possibly fit on even 3 or 4 tags. She has a medic alert bracelet, but it sounds like that may not help. Any suggestions?

Maybe print out all the conditions and medications on a laminated index card she can keep on her at all times, then put on the medic alert tag "Important additional medical info in wallet!" Would that work?

 

[pigletgirl]

I would always have a printed list of all his medications he takes at home (name, indication for use, dosage, frequency) that would easy to grab if he were to go with EMS. You could even hang it on the frig or something for easy access. I would imagine it would make a world of difference to the staff in the ER. His conditions would then be on bracelet.

Or you could add the disease like diabetes and then add the meds he takes for that conditon, ect....

Make sense?

 

[mousesweetie]

DBF is a paramedic and he said to get a new medallion for the blood disorder. Hope this helps!

 

[luvdzny]

You wouldn't believe how many times even ER doctors don't understand what I need!

My DD has the same problem with ER docs not understanding what she needs. Two of her conditions are very rare and most doctor's don't don't have a clue how to treat her.