Do First Responders Really Look for Medical IDs?
How MedicAlert and first responders work together to protect you
During a crisis, it’s always a huge relief to see first responders arrive on the scene. These are the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics we trust to save lives and property during accidents, disasters, or medical emergencies.
Because they arrive quickly on the scene and are usually the first to provide emergency medical care, first responders are a vital part of how MedicAlert protects you in an emergency.
We all rely on first responders in a crisis, and first responders rely on MedicAlert to supply the information they need to deliver fast and accurate care.
It’s easy to see how a medical ID could be useful – even lifesaving – in a medical emergency. But they only work if a first responder knows to look for them. Many people ask: “Do first responders really know to check for a medical ID?”
The answer is a resounding YES. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s National Standard Curriculum for First Responders, first responders must assess the scene of a medical emergency in several ways, with duties including “searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care.”
First responders are trained to check your wrist and neck for a medical ID.
MedicAlert IDs, along with membership in a Protection Plan, offer first responders details beyond what is immediately available on the ID. To help educate first responders about the information they can access, and remind them to always look for medical IDs, MedicAlert Foundation offers free training to first responders.
How do first responders use MedicAlert?
With 240 million calls made to 911 each year in the U.S., first responders are the on the front lines of rapidly unfolding medical emergencies every day.
When a first responder arrives on the scene of an emergency and the patient is wearing a MedicAlert ID, it signals that the person they’re treating has medical indications that need special attention. EMTs have immediate access to important health information they need to make sound decisions and provide the right care quickly.
Importantly, MedicAlert operates a 24/7 emergency call center for first responders. When treating someone wearing a MedicAlert ID, EMS can contact MedicAlert to get their patient’s full medical profile, beyond what’s engraved on their ID. The MedicAlert profile includes all the patient’s medical conditions, allergies, current medications, past surgical history, and more.
Think about it. There are many types of medical conditions, allergies, medications, and medical devices that have a huge impact on how you should be treated in an emergency.
If you’re diabetic, it’s vital for first responders to be aware that you may need glucose. If an EMT knows you’re on blood thinners, they’ll be careful to assess for internal bleeding beyond your obvious injuries. And if you have any kind of medical implant, emergency personnel need to know so that they don’t risk injuring you during treatment.
Time to treatment is critical in a medical emergency. According to Army Col. Dr. Rodd Marcum, command surgeon at the 1st Special Forces Group at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington, “When first responders are able to quickly narrow their focus to high-probability issues based on applicable individual medical conditions, interventions can be quickly employed, and outcomes optimized.”
As Dr. Marcum explained, “The essence of a medical alert product is to bring attention to first responders and/or emergency services of a known condition, treatment, or medical risk factor that could have important impacts on immediate clinical decision-making.”
“A simple bracelet with less than 80 characters can turn a very scary life-threatening situation with dozens of possible causes into a controlled and systematic response,” Marcum said.
If your health information is not readily available, precious time can be lost as first responders try to figure out details that affect your treatment. The outcome of medical emergencies can be made better or worse based on what first responders can find out quickly in these situations. MedicAlert provides first responders with the information they need, to give you the help you need.
The short answer is – yes, absolutely. No matter what chronic medical conditions you have, in an emergency, first responders need as much information as possible to choose the right treatment plan. This includes medical history, medications, allergies, and more.
A medical ID can be a vital part of sharing this information. What if you are unconscious, or in shock? If you’re unable to speak for yourself due to an accident or medical emergency, MedicAlert will be your voice, relaying details that first responders need to give you the right care.
When first responders know your pre-existing conditions and medications, it speeds time to diagnosis. It helps them avoid treatments that could possibly harm you. And it could even save you from a costly trip to the emergency room.
Another circumstance where a MedicAlert ID can be critical is for people who are prone to wander. People with Alzheimer’s, autism spectrum disorder, and other cognitive impairments are prone to wandering from a safe environment. Wandering is also referred to as bolting or elopement. By any name, it’s extremely dangerous.
Those who have wandered are often unable to tell their name or where they live. They can easily get confused, distracted, and lost. If not found quickly, the odds of a positive outcome decrease rapidly; a wandering incident can lead to injury, or even death. That’s why – in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association – MedicAlert developed specialized Safe and Found services to help ensure a safe return home for wanderers.
If you’re still unsure, know that prominent health agencies, medical centers and patient organizations recommend wearing a medical ID, including:
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- U.S. Military Health System
- Cleveland Clinic
- Mayo Clinic
- American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)
- Alzheimer’s Association
- Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America
- American Diabetes Association
- American Heart Association
- Epilepsy Foundation
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Every MedicAlert ID comes with free custom engraving. You can personalize your new ID with the details that first responders should have immediate access to. Be sure to include:
-
- Serious health conditions
-
- Any critical medications you take
-
- Allergies that can cause anaphylaxis
-
- Implanted medical devices
-
- Any other important details you want to be highly visible for first responders
If you need help deciding what to engrave, check out our engraving tips and common medical abbreviations. We also encourage you to speak with your physician about your specific conditions and how to communicate them.
With your vital health information engraved on a MedicAlert ID, you give first responders a head start on determining an effective treatment when every second counts.
And at MedicAlert, we know there’s more to you than the few lines that can be engraved on your medical bracelet or necklace. That’s why we enable you to securely store a detailed health history, and we relay your complete medical information to first responders, so they get the whole picture – including allergies, current medications, medical devices, past surgeries, and more. In an emergency, this helps you get the best possible care.