Aggie85
Well-known member
What information is most pertinent to put on a medical ID? Are many on here wearing them? Has anyone gotten a Med ID tattoo? Can one get a tattoo when on Wafarin? 
Questions I'm contemplating now that I'm getting closer to being back to normal life. Well, not really yet, but hope to be soon. Once, in my 20s, I asked my Dr. about Med IDs and his answer was not to worry because it's quite obvious I'm a heart patient and that emergency personnel would automatically know to bring in a cardiologist. Now, however, I've got an artificial valve, ring support around another valve, and am on warfarin. Again, however, it's pretty blatantly obvious I have a mechanical valve (quite audible even without a stethoscope) and anyone in an ER would call in a cardiologist who in turn would know I'm most likely on warfarin, and so on....
But....
I've been sent cards by both prosthesis manufactures to "carry in my wallet" with specifics on what was put in me. My anti-coag clinic offered me medID dog tags (granted it's an Army hospital so to be expected I guess. Hubby retired AF.) I also keep thinking of things I SHOULD put on an alert card of some sort and that leads to thoughts on how best to let someone know TO LOOK for an alert info card.
So... I haven't seen ANY discussion on the site about people wearing Medical IDs or what's being put on them.
--Are there any ER or EMT folks out there with input or suggestions? What would you need to be alerted the most about? Below are specifics for me, but answers for the broader forum public are very welcome. I'm using my specifics as a starting point for discussion.... :thumbup:
Specifics for me: on warfarin, mechanical valve in PULMONARY position, tricuspid repair with ring insert, TOF (Tetrology of Fallot) repair, interrupted Femoral Vein pathway.
...Do emergency personnel need to know my INR range?
...Should they know WHICH valve is mechanical and what valve was used (OnX)? Does the ring for the tricuspid repair come into play at all?
...The TOF repair is pretty much superseded by this point with recent repairs, but is it important for history issues?
...I also realize that interrupted FV could be an issue in that caths can't be done through groin access; but is that urgent enough for emergency cardio personnel to know?
If yes, what would be best way to shorthand note this?
It is very unusual and I don't have external signs often present in that situation. ((For the non-medical readers...Normally folks with the condition have peripheral vascular disease signs, vericous veins and other visible signs. Since mine is congenital my body developed it's own pathways to deal with it from the start and only issue is veinous caths can't get past my kidneys.))
--I've noticed that EVERYONE in hospital wanted my name and DOB. Should I make sure those are on IDs?
--are there any tattoo aficionados who would know if ok for someone on Warfarin to get a small tattoo of the med-alert emblem? (I keep thinking bracelet or watches only do any good if seen or in place at the time of need, where-as a tattoo is permanent.) BTW: I'm one who would NEVER have contemplated a tattoo otherwise.:cool2:
--my plan is to get a MedID alert watch (since I'm most likely to always have it on), key fob and an engraved wallet card. Each has different means of exposure and offers different levels of information. But I think between them all, I'd be able to convey the most pertinent information needed if I'm not able to clearly (or at all) speak for myself.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions???
Linda
Questions I'm contemplating now that I'm getting closer to being back to normal life. Well, not really yet, but hope to be soon. Once, in my 20s, I asked my Dr. about Med IDs and his answer was not to worry because it's quite obvious I'm a heart patient and that emergency personnel would automatically know to bring in a cardiologist. Now, however, I've got an artificial valve, ring support around another valve, and am on warfarin. Again, however, it's pretty blatantly obvious I have a mechanical valve (quite audible even without a stethoscope) and anyone in an ER would call in a cardiologist who in turn would know I'm most likely on warfarin, and so on....
But....
I've been sent cards by both prosthesis manufactures to "carry in my wallet" with specifics on what was put in me. My anti-coag clinic offered me medID dog tags (granted it's an Army hospital so to be expected I guess. Hubby retired AF.) I also keep thinking of things I SHOULD put on an alert card of some sort and that leads to thoughts on how best to let someone know TO LOOK for an alert info card.
So... I haven't seen ANY discussion on the site about people wearing Medical IDs or what's being put on them.
--Are there any ER or EMT folks out there with input or suggestions? What would you need to be alerted the most about? Below are specifics for me, but answers for the broader forum public are very welcome. I'm using my specifics as a starting point for discussion.... :thumbup:
Specifics for me: on warfarin, mechanical valve in PULMONARY position, tricuspid repair with ring insert, TOF (Tetrology of Fallot) repair, interrupted Femoral Vein pathway.
...Do emergency personnel need to know my INR range?
...Should they know WHICH valve is mechanical and what valve was used (OnX)? Does the ring for the tricuspid repair come into play at all?
...The TOF repair is pretty much superseded by this point with recent repairs, but is it important for history issues?
...I also realize that interrupted FV could be an issue in that caths can't be done through groin access; but is that urgent enough for emergency cardio personnel to know?
If yes, what would be best way to shorthand note this?
It is very unusual and I don't have external signs often present in that situation. ((For the non-medical readers...Normally folks with the condition have peripheral vascular disease signs, vericous veins and other visible signs. Since mine is congenital my body developed it's own pathways to deal with it from the start and only issue is veinous caths can't get past my kidneys.))
--I've noticed that EVERYONE in hospital wanted my name and DOB. Should I make sure those are on IDs?
--are there any tattoo aficionados who would know if ok for someone on Warfarin to get a small tattoo of the med-alert emblem? (I keep thinking bracelet or watches only do any good if seen or in place at the time of need, where-as a tattoo is permanent.) BTW: I'm one who would NEVER have contemplated a tattoo otherwise.:cool2:
--my plan is to get a MedID alert watch (since I'm most likely to always have it on), key fob and an engraved wallet card. Each has different means of exposure and offers different levels of information. But I think between them all, I'd be able to convey the most pertinent information needed if I'm not able to clearly (or at all) speak for myself.
Thoughts, comments, suggestions???
Linda
