Medic Alert

Hello All,

I am a 51 yo male just fitted wit ha CRT-D device. What is the general consensus on medical alert bracelets? I was looking at a water proof usb type but was wondering if that was useful or not?

Thank you in advance for your opinions!

11 Comments

Medical ID

by BillH - 2016-04-17 03:04:36

When I looked into this a couple of years ago, for other medical needs, was that their was a mixed response from 1st responders and ER people.

Some said that they will use the USB, but a large number said that a) a computer was not always available, b) they where concerned about the possibility of viruses. Also with some of the USB devices that I saw they where kind of "hidden" and might not be immediately seen.

The critical information that needs to be seen immediately is ID, information that affects emergency treatment such as PM/ICD, blood thinner, diabetic, etc, and contact information.

Many of the ID bracelets/dog tags can provide that And some also have ways of linking to a user supplied medical record.

I personally like the RoadID ones. You can get 6 lines of information (more lines and longer than many of the others). Or 4 lines of information plus a link to medical records. The records can be accessed by any computer to a web page or by phone to a toll free number in the US and several other parts of the world.

Hi Athos

by IAN MC - 2016-04-17 04:04:54

You ask if there is a consensus on Medi Alert bracelets.

The only data which I have found is the poll which was done here in the PM club. The question was asked " Do you wear a Medi Alert bracelet or pendant ? "

339 people answered , of these 186 ( about 55 % ) said that they don't wear any Medii Alert device whatsoever. In discussions on here it is interesting that the 45 % who are believers are far more vociferous than the majority who don't use them .

As a non-user I would add that :-

- this is a population of worriers , so in the real world it is highly likely that the percentage of non-users will be much higher

To be fair though :-

- the survey covered all implanted devices . A survey of CRT and ICD patients may have given different results

As a fairly straightforward bradycardia- driven PM wearer I see no need to wear any Medi Alert jewellery. If I had a CRT / ICD it is possible that I would think differently .

Clearly there is not a consensus so it is your decision

Ian

Either way

by Theknotguy - 2016-04-18 01:04:04

Per Ian, about 1/2 said they didn't work and didn't use them. The other half says they work and uses them. Up to how you feel.

I have talked with the EMT's who come into the hospital. They say that in the Columbus, Ohio area they are actively looking for medical alert jewelry. Don't know about other areas. Don't know about them using a USB flash drive but I think not.

As far as USB, you're going to run into problems with computer, network, and IT security. Hospitals aren't going to plug the USB device into any of their systems on the hospital network. Don't know what they would do in a life and death situation, but it's a question I'll ask when I'm at the hospital next. I do know for sure you can't carry a flash drive into the medical records area and have them use it on their system. Just not going to happen.

I got the USB medical ID before I ran into problems with computer security. I also made sure all my major problems are engraved on the unit, so if they don't want to plug it into the system they still have the critical info.

Oh, and since my doctor is also tied into the hospital network, he can't plug the USB flash drive in the computers he uses in his office either.

Obviously I can use the flash drive on my home system, but that really isn't going to help me anywhere else.

Hope you can find something with which you are comfortable.

iPhone Medical Alert

by Lurch - 2016-04-18 02:04:08

I wear a Medical Alert necklace that simply says "ICD." I have my medical information on my iPhone (which I always have with me). This information is accessible without unlocking the phone.

Our Emergency Responders all grew up with smart phones and know them and their capabilities. They will not have any problems getting to the information on my phone.

I always stress to people to keep your phone with your always! It is the first thing I pick up in the morning and the last thing I sit down at night (it stays on my nightstand charging overnight). Not only does it have all my medical information (conditions, doctors, emergency contacts, medications, etc.) it can be used to summon assistance if I am having problems.

I also have the AliveCor (now called Kardia) app which allows me to take an ECG and sent it to my doctor if I am experiencing an issue. I intend to use the advantages provided to us by technology to the full extent that I can afford!

Road ID

by Lisalac - 2016-04-18 02:04:09

I love my road ID for running because it not only works to alert that have a pacemaker bu also has my name, age and emergency contact. I Never run without it. Day to day activities I may not bother except that my husband bought me the most beautiful white gold one and I love it just as a dressy bracelet :)

choice

by Cabg Patch - 2016-04-18 08:04:58

late one evening I threw a party for a bunch of paramedics. I learned the hard way that a medic alert can be crucial when I was unable to respond to their questions while they worked on me. Later, they told me to get a Medic Alert and wear it at all times. It's especially important the Alert contain information on your amount of pacing as it affects the interpretation of an EKG.

Road ID for Fitbit

by msmillholland - 2016-04-19 05:04:30

I have a Fitbit HR and ordered an ID badge with six lines of info. I also got a separate medical alert badge that slips on beside it. Before I got my Fitbit, I had the flex bands in several colors with a badge. The prices are very affordable and the customer service is awesome. Check them out at www.roadid.com.

Thanks Everyone!

by Athos - 2016-04-20 09:04:26

Thanks for the comments and if you are interested here are my two cents..

I have decided to wear a bracelet for several reasons:

1) I work out of town a lot and am around heavy machinery and people who don't necessarily know me well. So I to able to be identified if I cant speak for myself

2) I surf, and in case something happens I want the other surfers and lifeguards to know my medical condition and ICE contact information.

3) My best friend was on blood thinners and was in an accident at work. He suffered a head injury and subsequently died from it. Had the attending physicians known he was on those medications they said his chance of survival would have been much higher.

4) I am allergic to penicillin.

All of these reasons compelled me to get one, I have decided against a usb one after the comments here and from several EMT's, that they would not be useful. Good in theory I suppose, however I think the keep it simple rule is a good one to apply here!

Good decision

by Seabreeze - 2016-04-22 03:04:48

I wear a bracelet too, just for that reason, if I can't talk. I put info into my phone too.
Good luck.

Alert info

by Brenalan - 2016-06-27 02:24:33

I am an EMT in a rural area in the US, and had similar questions having just gotten a PM. What I will say is that very little time is wasted seeking info during true field emergencies. It is rare that we search wallets and smart phones. That happens at the hospital. I went with name, diagnosis, PM model, emerg contact, and Dr X At XYZ Clinic. Of all of those, I though diagnosis was most important because certain meds are indicated or inappropriate. second most important, in my opinion, is type of PM. I think you can count on any medic recognizing a PM scar/ bump when they do the ECG. From there, it is a matter of calling in the correct tech resources or deciding to transport to a hospital that can manage device issues.  I have both pendant and bracelet, but suspect pendant is preferable because it is in sight when applying ECG leads. No need to check pulse in wrist with ECG running, and in cardiac emergencies we often bypass radial pulse for carotid or femoral, thus are less likely to note a bracelet. However, IVs are generally started, so odds are good a bracelet would be noticed at that point.

Alert info

by Brenalan - 2016-06-27 02:25:58

I am an EMT in a rural area in the US, and had similar questions having just gotten a PM. What I will say is that very little time is wasted seeking info during true field emergencies. It is rare that we search wallets and smart phones. That happens at the hospital. I went with name, diagnosis, PM model, emerg contact, and Dr X At XYZ Clinic. Of all of those, I though diagnosis was most important because certain meds are indicated or inappropriate. second most important, in my opinion, is type of PM. I think you can count on any medic recognizing a PM scar/ bump when they do the ECG. From there, it is a matter of calling in the correct tech resources or deciding to transport to a hospital that can manage device issues.  I have both pendant and bracelet, but suspect pendant is preferable because it is in sight when applying ECG leads. No need to check pulse in wrist with ECG running, and in cardiac emergencies we often bypass radial pulse for carotid or femoral, thus are less likely to note a bracelet. However, IVs are generally started, so odds are good a bracelet would be noticed at that point.

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