Wearing Medical Alert Jewelry Can Save Your Life

Imagine an emergency crew arriving at the scene of an accident to find a patient bleeding profusely. Of course, with their specialized training, they have set procedures to address the situation, but there is a simple way those with serious or complicated health conditions can save precious seconds. Rather than wasting time trying to find out about the patient’s health conditions, a medical alert bracelet worn by the victim would instantly provide the crew with life saving information. The proper medication to counteract the bleeding and start coagulation would immediately be administered, and that medical bracelet would end up being a life saving warning.

At least 60 million Americans are estimated to have a medical condition that should be known during an emergency. Unfortunately, only a fraction of those people wear bracelets or carry any other type of medical warning. Some of the newer medical alert tags include USB flash drives that attach to their key chains to hold information about their condition as well as medical history. Advances in medical alert bracelets and other ID systems can make it easier for medics and ER staff to quickly access vital data about patients who can’t speak for themselves in an accident or emergency. Seniors who live alone and even those in Assisted Living or Nursing Homes can potentially benefit by wearing medical bracelets.

The WSJ Blog featured a health campaign effort to get consumers to better prepare for medical emergencies. The American College of Emergency Physicians launched this campaign known as Seconds Saves Lives. Among other things, the group advises people to carry an emergency medical ID card or wear medical ID jewelry if they have a health condition, allergy, implanted device or if they are taking medications that might be life threatening in certain circumstances. ACEP recommends using medical ID linked to a live emergency medical information service such as the non-profit MedicAlert Foundation. With 4 million members worldwide, the group offers jewelry engraved with a brief description of a patient’s condition and a 24/7 toll-free number. Operators can quickly access members’ data from electronic records that patients can update online. MedicAlert also has partnerships with drug chains including CVS to electronically transmit prescription drug and dosage information to patient records.

Emergency by ~TMSchobel on deviantART

Consumers say the cost of about $30 a year is well worth the peace of mind. Bob Hawkinson, a diabetic in Jacksonville, Fla., tells the WSJ Health Blog that a MedicAlert bracelet saved his life several years ago when someone came to his aid after an accident, saw the bracelet, and gave him a sports drink to keep his blood sugar under control until medics came to the scene. Hawkinson now has an external insulin pump, which is noted on his bracelet. He says, “If I ever get in another car wreck and the pump gets ripped off, emergency responders will know I can’t sit there for hours without insulin, it’s a good insurance policy.” Seniors seeking Home Healthcare Medical services or Board and Care Facilities can rest assured that wearing medical alert jewelry will inform staff of their health conditions in an emergency situation.

800Seniors.com is a leading referral system in the Elderly Healthcare industry. We are located on 5400 Atlantis Court, Moorpark, California 93021. 800Seniors.com provides the perfect match between seniors searching for health care provisions such as Home Care, Home Health, Skilled Nursing, Hospice Care, Medical Supplies, as well as a variety of Assisted Living New York and Care Homes nationwide. Take the confusion and hassle out of the search. For more information call 1-800-768-8221, visit http://800seniors.com or fax us your details at (805)517-1623.

About The Author: Gloria Ha’o Schneider is an expert in senior citizen and baby boomer issues. Her topics revolve around Senior Living and Healthcare to provide the latest information to this demographic as well as their families and loved ones.