medic alert bracelet

[WDelesline]

Does anyone know where I can purchase a good quality medic alert bracelet. I have been taking coumadin for almost two years and will continue as I am getting a mech MV next week and I want a really nice one. Also, what should it say?

Wendy

 

[geebee]

Wendy,
Here is a link to a place that sells medic alert bracelets AND medical file products. I do not think they sell the bracelets without the service but it is a great way to have info available.

https://www.medicalert.org/home/Homegradient.aspx

 

[Harpoon]

I've seen some "non-Medic Alert" associated bracelets at jewelry stores in the past.

Medic Alert is a paid service and not just the bracelet (or whatever piece of jewelry you pick out) that you wear. The ID is usually engraved with a general "warning" like, "ALLERGIC TO PENICILLIN" or "TAKING ANTICOAGULANTS" along with a 1-800 and an identification number that any medical care providers (cops, EMT's, nurses, doctors, etc.) can use to get more detailed information about the individual's health status.

As I understand it, you get to decide what's shared and what's not. If you have HIV/AIDS and you don't want that information to be listed as part of your MedicAlert bracelet, you can do that. They'll only list what you tell them to list.

Usually it's sent as a fax to the doctors office, hospital, or emergency room where you're being cared for. They may also have an Internet system for exchanging information as well, I don't know.

I've been mulling over the MedicAlert thing for quite a while, just haven't gotten around to deciding if paying an annual fee (I think it might actually be charged monthly, but I'm not sure) is worth the kind of "protection" it is designed to provide.

Besides, I'm not keen on bracelets, anklets, or necklaces really and most medical care folks won't check wallets unless it's the only way to find identification and usually it's actually a police officer who does it, the assumption being they would be more accountable and won't steal from you.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Wendy,
Here is another site you can look at. http://www.americanmedical-id.com/marketplace/details.php?prodid=1048048344&usersession=ORCMUXQ0
With these you can have whatever you want engraved on them. I hope this helps you out.
Harpoon, when I was a firefighter/EMT we would always check for medical ID if the person was unable to tell us anything and I did this was 24 years!
I wouldn't count on a police officer to check for it.
Take Care

 

[Bionic Valve Tim]

I got a bracelet from the site fyrfytr mentioned (www.americanmedical-id.com) a couple of months back; nice little bracelet, quick service. I got the cheap stainless one, but they seem to have a decent selection. A google search on "medical bracelet" turned up a bunch of different sites, and I seem to remember some of them having very nice gold and silver products.

Tim

 

[Harpoon]

I wouldn't count on a police officer to check for it.
Take Care

I wouldn't count on a cop to check for MedicAlert either (though we have a few cops who are also firefighters in town and know better...) however they're the only ones who should really be digging through a patient's wallet if you're looking for identification of someone who's unconscious or unable to communicate for whatever reason.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Harpoon,
A firefighter/EMT or Ambulance personnel does not check identification, they are looking for medical information on the person. Some people carry it in their wallets or in purses and some wear the identification bracelets or necklaces. There are even people that keep it in their refrigerator which was set up as Vial of Life years ago. If you are going through any type of Medical Emergency classes you should know this.
Take Care

 

[Harpoon]

From my earlier post:

"...most medical care folks won't check wallets unless it's the only way to find identification and usually it's actually a police officer who does it, the assumption being they would be more accountable and won't steal from you."

Isn't that what I said? =)

 

[McCln]

There is a company that makes a talking medical alert bracelet, MEDport. Theri e-mail address is [email protected]. The phone number is 1-800-368-7248. I purchased mine through Avon, which had it in their wellness catalogue a few months ago. But go to the website or make a call. The bracelet was under $20. Good luck.

 

[tobagotwo]

The one that Gina pointed to is basically just a USB thumb drive with a sticker on it. It's a great idea to put your medical history on one of those and wear it or carry it on your keychain, suitably marked. You can enter your health history and current meds on your PC and update it anytime.

It would likely be an adjunct to an alert thingamabob that has very basic info written on paper inside it, or an engraved one with warfarin warning. Most hospitals could likely handle plugging in the USB drive. I have seen them for less than $20, and they are usually set up to go on a keychain.

Best wishes,

 

[geebee]

More info

More info

Here is another link to the same website but dealing with regular type bracelets with a "call-in info" service. The service runs $35/year and the number is on the bracelet. Medical professionals can call the number and get specific information.

The bracelet can also be inscribed with limited info such as "coumadin", "diabetic", etc. to give someone instant info that you have a medical condition.

https://www.medicalert.org/home/HomeCatalog.aspx?Catalog=Standard

As Bob pointed out the USB is a technology that is rapidly growing and should be accessible by most hospitals now (and all in the near future).