Each year, an
estimated 2.6 million people receive ‘harmful’ medical emergency treatment that could have been averted if vital information was available to responders. These figures demonstrate that there is an alarming oversight in providing medical information to healthcare professionals. Therefore, medical identification (ID) is deemed a critical
part of emergency preparedness offering life-saving information and ensuring better outcomes for patients in urgent situations. But what are medical IDs, how do you interpret the symbols that are on them, and who should wear them?
Understanding Medical IDs
Medical IDs come in different forms, but they’re usually a bracelet or necklace where medical information is engraved onto the jewelry. Many smartphone apps enable digital medical info storage which can be accessed by first responders, if needed. There are also apps that generate quick response (QR) codes which can be scanned by emergency staff to access medical information. Moreover, there are wallet cards that can be carried in a purse containing essential medical info. Individuals may also choose medical tattoos that unobtrusively display essential data including blood type or allergies.
The point is medical IDs are like portable records which can be retrieved quickly in an emergency. They can be used in different situations where
medical info is crucial to help save or treat a person. For example, dog tags have been used for many years as a form of identification to ID fallen soldiers or those left behind on the battlefield. Later on,
red medical warning dog tags were adopted to indicate that the wearer has an underlying medical condition. They display critical info especially when a soldier requires treatment or may be incapacitated.
Who Should Wear Them And Important Signs
Individuals with chronic medical conditions must seriously consider wearing medical IDs. These conditions include Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, seizure disorders and respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies, autoimmune diseases, and blood disorders. In addition, people with implanted devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, or defibrillators should consider tagging themselves as well as those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease as they may not be able to communicate effectively in an emergency.
The most common symbol on medical IDs is
the Rod of Asclepius, a lone snake coiled around a staff. It is the most widely recognized symbol for medicine associated with Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. Healthcare and medical professionals recognize this symbol and when they see it, they immediately know that the wearer has a medical condition and that crucial info is available. Another symbol that may be used on medical IDs is the Star of Life which is a blue six-pointed star on a white background. The middle part features a Rod of Asclepius. Any of these symbols may be used on a medical ID. Certain abbreviations are also useful to know such as ALGY for allergy, T1D or T2D for diabetes, and ICE for an emergency contact number. In general, these symbols and abbreviations denote that the wearer carries vital info such as known medical conditions, medications, blood type, and emergency contacts to help healthcare professionals respond to an emergency or treatment procedure.
In summary, medical IDs are vital tags or emblems that provide critical information about the medical condition of the wearer. The information assists first responders and healthcare professionals treat the patient properly, accurately, and quickly especially in moments where the individual may not be able to communicate.
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