Emergency Medical Information

Emergency Medical Information is a service of MedicAlert Foundation that alerts emergency personnel and medical providers of health conditions. It also provides access to an individual’s critical medical history through their Emergency Medical Information Record (EMIR^®) that may assist in the delivery of emergency medical treatment. The CDC reports there are more than 119 million emergency visits each year in the United States. Many people arrive unconscious or unable to communicate. As a result, the physician may lack important information about medical problems such as diabetes, which must be taken into consideration when providing care. With the proper information, physicians can avoid giving medications or treatment that could be harmful to a patient.

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) recommends that all families keep up-to-date medical records for everyone in the family. According to physicians, an emergency identification system should include a clearly visible, durable tag with the distinctive MedicAlert^® mark of the staff of Asclepius flanked by the words MEDIC ALERT and a medical information card that contains pertinent medical information and the identity of family, friends, and personal physicians.

Additionally, physicians recommend individuals carry an emergency medical identification card or wear medical identification if they have a medical condition, allergy or implanted device, or taking medications that could be life-threatening in an emergency. It is estimated that at least 60 million Americans have a medical condition that should be known in times of emergency. Every 14 seconds a car accident with injuries occurs in the United States; emergency medical identification can certainly help save lives and play an important role in improving healthcare during an emergency. These individuals may or may not be in a position to communicate their health conditions (if any) to first responders. Under these circumstances, an emergency medical ID combined with an information service could not only help save lives, but also expedite treatment.

How an EMIR Helps Individuals: 

• The at-a-glance record helps you play a more active role in your healthcare, and may even save you time and money.
• Having your medical information handy can make communicating with your doctor easier and more efficient. This enhanced communication can also help make the most of your doctor's visits, which leads to more informed, personalized care and fewer mistakes.
• Tracking your prescriptions will help you keep your own health at the forefront of your mind and may help you better comply with treatment recommendations. After all, the more information you have at your fingertips, the more likely you are to follow your physician's advice, such as finishing all your antibiotics or sticking to your diet.
• An EMIR can come in handy when you're away from home. Whether you're on vacation or displaced from home due to a natural disaster, your health history is available to you and your physicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week with an EMIR.
• Using an EMIR may also help you save money. If your doctor knows about your previous tests and lab results, s/he can avoid duplicate or unnecessary tests.

ACEP and MedicAlert Foundation are partnering to promote EmergencyCareforYou.org to educate the public about medical emergencies and the importance of emergency medical information.