Pacemaker 'Card'

Hi All,

On Thursday I had my first pacemaker fitted. I was handed this piece of paper in the lowest quality plastic sleeve. I was expecting a credit card type thing for it to last as long as the pacemaker itself....

I assume this is the NHS cutting costs. I just wanted to check if everyone else received a similar thing.

Cheers,

Charlie (UK)

10 Comments

Thank you :-)

by CW-S - 2016-01-19 04:01:29

Thanks everyone. Making multiple copies seems the way forward. Definitely going to look into one of the bracelets

Charlie

Bracelet

by chatterbox3110 - 2016-01-19 06:01:16

I got my SOS bracelet from a jewellers, paid around £80 as I wanted the gold plated one, the silver (stainless steel) one is around the £50 mark, I did see a solid gold one but it was £500!!!

You can buy copies on Ebay for around £24, but not sure how long they'd last before they tarnish.

I've put all my PM information including the settings on the strip provided, and also what I suffer with, my GP details, religion etc etc.

At least my PM info from hospital is in a credit card size walet, my friend has an ICD fitted and her plastic wallet is about 6" x 4" - she has to take her handbag everywhere with her!

Yep

by chatterbox3110 - 2016-01-19 07:01:27

I got a long piece of card folded into a credit card size plastic wallet, it doesn't even fit properly so part of the card sticks out, and there's an odd half inch folded over at the end....... yep, can honestly say I wasn't overly impressed either.

Hubby bought me a SOS Talisman bracelet for Xmas, so I've put all my info in that, including my BP medication and the other ailments I suffer from.

Silly Cost Savings!

by CW-S - 2016-01-19 07:01:33

Mine is paper! Thinking of laminating It before it melts.

I don't think that my condition is severe enough to be worried about at this stage but I can guarantee that I will forget to take my purse with me 90% of the time so at least

I've had a look at the bracelets, I think it's a really good idea. What type of info did you put on yours? Your name, manufacturer info etc?

Hi Charlie......

by Tattoo Man - 2016-01-19 08:01:22

YUP...that is your 'Pacemaker Passport'.......

I don't think that its about NHS savings..more just about what is actually needed.

You will only really need it if you are in an airport where you will by-pass the security arch for a pat-down.

Pacemakers are OK with full body scans that many airports now have.

If you were after something more important looking just give me your details and I will produce a fully illuminated document, hand painted on vellum with a gilt frame.....or you could photo-copy your existing one and have that framed to hang in the loo !!

I have to agree with you ..they do look a bit crummy.

Tattoo Man

Charlie

by IAN MC - 2016-01-19 09:01:44

You don't say in your Bio what make of PM you have.

If you have a Medtronic, ring their head office in Watford and they will send you a rigid plastic credit card type.

My NHS issued paper one was falling part, sellotaped together so often that it became virtually unusable, my new one is great.

Ian

card

by Shell - 2016-01-19 11:01:35

When I git my pacemaker I got card on paper while in the hospital. A few weeks later I got the heavier, plastic one in the mail.

US

by Tracey_E - 2016-01-19 11:01:58

I'm in the US so maybe it's different here, but my card came a few weeks later directly from St Judes, nothing to do with my health insurance.

Card

by ShazG - 2016-01-19 12:01:24

Hi Charlie,
I got mine almost 2 years ago and it is a folded piece of paper in a plastic wallet ....... I agree pretty naff really
Sharron

card

by Cabg Patch - 2016-01-20 04:01:35

I got my plastic card by post about a week after implant. I was thrilled until I found out I couldn't buy anything with it...people make far too much about these documents. Their only value is to remind you of what make and model device and leads you have.

In 9 years I have been unable to convince even one person to look at mine. Even the airport screeners could care less

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