Medical identification tag
Encyclopedia
A medical identification tag is a small emblem or tag worn on a bracelet, neck chain, or on the clothing bearing a message that the wearer has an important medical condition that might require immediate attention. The intention is to alert a paramedic, physician, emergency department personnel or other first responders of the condition even if the wearer is not conscious enough or old enough to explain. Some people prefer to carry a wallet card with the same information.
A new type of medic identification alert is the USB medical alert tag. This is essentially a USB flash drive
that contains an individual's emergency information. Because of the memory on the flash drive these USB medical alert tags are capable of carrying much more information than the conventional medical ID bracelet. Information such as medications, existing conditions, doctors and emergency contacts can all be stored on the USB tags. Emergency personnel can instantly access the information with any available computer, if they have access to a computer with a USB port and have the software to read the data, and their policies allow inserting USB drives of unknown origin into their computer systems.
In addition to mention of a condition, the tag may have a telephone number that medical personnel can call for more information, such as specific medications and phone number of physician or care-giver. Basically, the medical information tag, engraved with the wearer's personal medical problem or history, speak for the wearer when the wearer can't.
Such a tag may also be useful as proof of such a condition to law enforcement personnel.
Another type of medical ID jewelry indicates membership in a medical information organization such as the MedicAlert Foundation. Such medical ID jewelry includes a member identification number and a toll-free number for medical emergency personnel to contact the organization and obtain full information about the wearer's medical conditions, treatment, and history. These organizations maintain a database of medical information on their members and can provide it to medical personnel when requested.
The newest technology allows the user to carry their own information on a USB device that is identified as a medical alert tag. The user can update the information as needed to provide current information to emergency personnel through any computer system.
Another type of medical jewelry is a pendant or wrist strap containing a wireless alert button, also known as a panic button, worn in the home as part of a wireless medical alert system. This type of medical jewelry sends a signal to a dialing console which contacts a medical alarm
monitoring service when an emergency occurs.
A new type of medic identification alert is the USB medical alert tag. This is essentially a USB flash drive
USB flash drive
A flash drive is a data storage device that consists of flash memory with an integrated Universal Serial Bus interface. flash drives are typically removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most weigh less than 30 g...
that contains an individual's emergency information. Because of the memory on the flash drive these USB medical alert tags are capable of carrying much more information than the conventional medical ID bracelet. Information such as medications, existing conditions, doctors and emergency contacts can all be stored on the USB tags. Emergency personnel can instantly access the information with any available computer, if they have access to a computer with a USB port and have the software to read the data, and their policies allow inserting USB drives of unknown origin into their computer systems.
Conditions for use
Typical conditions warranting such a tag are:- AspleniaAspleniaAsplenia refers to the absence of normal spleen function and is associated with some serious infection risks. Hyposplenism is used to describe reduced splenic functioning, but not as severely affected as with asplenism.-Congenital:...
- AutismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
- Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
- Rare blood type
- Hemophelia
- Von Willebrand DiseaseVon Willebrand diseasevon Willebrand disease is the most common hereditary coagulation abnormality described in humans, although it can also be acquired as a result of other medical conditions. It arises from a qualitative or quantitative deficiency of von Willebrand factor , a multimeric protein that is required for...
- Advance Medical Directives (Do Not Revive order, POLST, Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will)
- Drug allergies
- EpilepsyEpilepsyEpilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
- Any seizure disorder
- Diabetes (Type 1 and 2)
- Anaphylactic Allergies (food, drug, insect)
- AsthmaAsthmaAsthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
- Situs Inversus
- Adrenal insufficiencyAdrenal insufficiencyAdrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones , primarily cortisol, but may also include impaired aldosterone production which regulates sodium, potassium and water retention...
- PacemakerArtificial pacemakerA pacemaker is a medical device that uses electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes contacting the heart muscles, to regulate the beating of the heart...
or other implantable medical devices - AnticoagulantAnticoagulantAn anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation of blood. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some anticoagulants are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusion bags, and renal dialysis...
s, such as warfarinWarfarinWarfarin is an anticoagulant. It is most likely to be the drug popularly referred to as a "blood thinner," yet this is a misnomer, since it does not affect the thickness or viscosity of blood... - Use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitorMonoamine oxidase inhibitorMonoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of antidepressant drugs prescribed for the treatment of depression. They are particularly effective in treating atypical depression....
(MAOI) drug, which can interact fatally with epinephrineEpinephrineEpinephrine is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. It increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, dilates air passages and participates in the fight-or-flight response of the sympathetic nervous system. In chemical terms, adrenaline is one of a group of monoamines called the catecholamines... - Disaster evacuation
- Acute porphyriaPorphyriaPorphyrias are a group of inherited or acquired disorders of certain enzymes in the heme bio-synthetic pathway . They are broadly classified as acute porphyrias and cutaneous porphyrias, based on the site of the overproduction and accumulation of the porphyrins...
- Hypoglycemia
In addition to mention of a condition, the tag may have a telephone number that medical personnel can call for more information, such as specific medications and phone number of physician or care-giver. Basically, the medical information tag, engraved with the wearer's personal medical problem or history, speak for the wearer when the wearer can't.
Such a tag may also be useful as proof of such a condition to law enforcement personnel.
Types
There are various types of medical ID available. The most common form of medical ID is jewelry which provides a logo or inscription indicating a particular medical condition. These medical identification tags can be made out of stainless steel (usually classified as 316L and known as surgical stainless steel), sterling silver or gold. If found by emergency personnel the inscription provides an indication of your special medical needs. Tags are available with pre-engraved conditions or can be custom engraved with your specific medical histories and have the benefit of that all information is self-contained and does not require any form of technology to view in case of an emergency.Another type of medical ID jewelry indicates membership in a medical information organization such as the MedicAlert Foundation. Such medical ID jewelry includes a member identification number and a toll-free number for medical emergency personnel to contact the organization and obtain full information about the wearer's medical conditions, treatment, and history. These organizations maintain a database of medical information on their members and can provide it to medical personnel when requested.
The newest technology allows the user to carry their own information on a USB device that is identified as a medical alert tag. The user can update the information as needed to provide current information to emergency personnel through any computer system.
Another type of medical jewelry is a pendant or wrist strap containing a wireless alert button, also known as a panic button, worn in the home as part of a wireless medical alert system. This type of medical jewelry sends a signal to a dialing console which contacts a medical alarm
Medical alarm
A medical alarm is an alarm system designed to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to summon emergency medical personnel. Other terms for a medical alarm are Personal Emergency Response System or medical alert....
monitoring service when an emergency occurs.
See also
- Medical alarmMedical alarmA medical alarm is an alarm system designed to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to summon emergency medical personnel. Other terms for a medical alarm are Personal Emergency Response System or medical alert....
- Dog tagDog tag (identifier)A dog tag is the informal name for the identification tags worn by military personnel, named such as it bears resemblance to actual dog tags. The tag is primarily used for the identification of dead and wounded and essential basic medical information for the treatment of the latter, such as blood...
- a military equivalent to the medical identification tag - Medical tattooMedical tattooA medical tattoo is a tattoo used to show the illnesses or allergetic reactions one has. Medical tattoos can be used for a number of reasons:* As a warning that a patient suffers from a chronic disease that can exacerbate suddenly and that will require immediate specialist treatment...
- SS blood group tattooSS blood group tattooSS blood group tattoos were worn by members of the Waffen-SS in Nazi Germany during World War II to identify the individual's blood type. After the war, the tattoo was taken to be prima facie, if not perfect, evidence of being part of the Waffen-SS, leading to potential arrest and...