Body locations examined for information

[DanMcD]

Hi, I hope this is an appropriate place to post this question.

Are there any locations on the body that are routinely examined at crash or rescue sites for information analogous to medical ID bracelets? In particular, I'm thinking that people might not want to wear a bracelet indentifying themselves as diabetic, but that would be useful information for an EMT to have... either if directed to administer an IV with glucose or to differentiate extreme hypocglycemia from intoxication.

Such information can be carried in a wallet, but an unresponsive drowning victim won't have ID on them, in all likelihood.

Additionally, information useful to the ER could be included: blood type (typing is quick and routine, but errors might be caught if it conflicts with the type listed in a tattoo), drug allergies (or other allergies, to indentify the source of anaphylaxis), the presence of metal that would preculde MRI...

My thought is that something like a tattoo in the left armpit might be useful for that, but only if the location is standardized. Are there any stnadards or conventions for such things?

(I also wonder about such tattoos to identify Alzheimer's patients who may wander from care facilities, but that seems a bit totalitarian?)

My concern is not merely hypothetical; I'm O-negative and the (small) potential for mismatched transfusion is more relevant to me than most, and I have a number of drug allergies including to beta lactam based antibiotics and a quirky sensitivity to epinephrine that results in syncope.

 

[NomadicMedic]

A medic alert bracelet is a good place to start. That's about as "standard" as it gets.

As as an FYI, Paramedics use a glucometer to determine hypoglycemia, we don't carry antibiotics in the field and if we're giving you epi, you've got bigger problems than potential syncope.

 

[SandpitMedic]

Sir, did you grow up in America? Totalitarian yes! A little right-wing if you ask me.

Tattooing old folks in case they get lost... Tattooing armpits... Lol.

Have you any tattoos? Physical challenge- go get an armpit tat and let me know how that works out.

Now for a serious answer to your question- if you are concerned with drowning and me not knowing you are a diabetic, you should give in and wear the bracelet. I'm still gonna give you what you need from what I find in my assessment.

Bracelets, wallet cards, necklace medallions, and lists on refrigerators are common places we look if there is no one available to give a history. Tats are out there, and the chest would be a likely place for them, but again.. A necklace would suffice. I won't be giving you blood in the field, and the hospital is going to type and cross your blood before giving you an infusion of blood products. Or you could write on duct tape and tape it to your boot... Like military folks. But swimming with boots on is going to increase your chances of drowning. And the ER is still going to type and cross you first, regardless of your duct tape declaration.

I suggest a list of allergies on your person and on your fridge. Other than that I think I'm done.

 

[SandpitMedic]

A medic alert bracelet is a good place to start. That's about as "standard" as it gets.

As as an FYI, Paramedics use a glucometer to determine hypoglycemia, we don't carry antibiotics in the field and if we're giving you epi, you've got bigger problems than potential syncope.

This
+1

Ps. I'm being polite.

 

[DanMcD]

Thanks...

...for the several prompt replies.

My mentioning of blood typing was directed at ER personell, not EMT; it was a side issue. Similarly my mentioning of alzheimeirs or other patients prone to wander as a result of a condition that is unlikely to improve with time was also a side-issue.

I do not in fact have any tattoos, but I imagine that the armpit would be a particularly painful place for such. I mentioned it only because it would be relatively easy for medical personell to access, but also relatively private for those who wish to keep their medical conditions private from casual observers. "Left buttock" might be a good place, but would also generate complaints: "I was unconcious with a concussion and a broken arm! Why were you looking at my ***?!?!"

SanpitMedic: I don't often go swimming with my refrigerator, and I was asking about where on my person would be an appropriate place to have a list of allergens, etc If I chose to not advertise that widely but wanted EMT's and similar to find it quickly in an emergency. I'm sorry that this distinction seemed to be lost on you. Thanks for the list of places EMTs might look for information though; I will take it under advisement.

DEmedic: thanks for the FYI; I wasn't aware that was tested in the field. I did metion bracelets, though, and excluded them because many people are unwilling to publicly advertise their medical issues.

 

[chaz90]

There's a good chance I wouldn't notice specific writing on a tattoo, even if I saw the tattoo itself.

Writing on medical alert bracelets and necklaces isn't necessarily huge and visible from a distance. How about a bracelet or necklace with a medical cross or Caduceus for visibility on the front, and the information on the other side? A locket style necklace may also work for privacy.

 

[tacitblue]

Hi, I hope this is an appropriate place to post this question.

Are there any locations on the body that are routinely examined at crash or rescue sites for information analogous to medical ID bracelets? In particular, I'm thinking that people might not want to wear a bracelet indentifying themselves as diabetic, but that would be useful information for an EMT to have... either if directed to administer an IV with glucose or to differentiate extreme hypocglycemia from intoxication.

Such information can be carried in a wallet, but an unresponsive drowning victim won't have ID on them, in all likelihood.

Additionally, information useful to the ER could be included: blood type (typing is quick and routine, but errors might be caught if it conflicts with the type listed in a tattoo), drug allergies (or other allergies, to indentify the source of anaphylaxis), the presence of metal that would preculde MRI...

My thought is that something like a tattoo in the left armpit might be useful for that, but only if the location is standardized. Are there any stnadards or conventions for such things?

(I also wonder about such tattoos to identify Alzheimer's patients who may wander from care facilities, but that seems a bit totalitarian?)

My concern is not merely hypothetical; I'm O-negative and the (small) potential for mismatched transfusion is more relevant to me than most, and I have a number of drug allergies including to beta lactam based antibiotics and a quirky sensitivity to epinephrine that results in syncope.

I do not examine patients for medical information tags that are not obviously located on their wrist. I also think you are putting too much mental energy into this and need to forget about it and live your life.

 

[DanMcD]

I do not examine patients for medical information tags that are not obviously located on their wrist. I also think you are putting too much mental energy into this and need to forget about it and live your life.

Thanks for your input. Apparently there is no standard for communicating such information beyond bracelets and wallets.

I'll be sure to apply the same measure of indifference if I come across an EMT or LEO bleeding to death on the side of the road, not checking to see if there might be a radio or cellphone that I could use to call for assistance.

 

[chaz90]

Thanks for your input. Apparently there is no standard for communicating such information beyond bracelets and wallets.

I'll be sure to apply the same measure of indifference if I come across an EMT or LEO bleeding to death on the side of the road, not checking to see if there might be a radio or cellphone that I could use to call for assistance.

It's not indifference. We have ways of checking for information we need. You asked for advice, and it doesn't appear you liked the information we gave you.

 

[DesertMedic66]

As it was already stated before the only thing that I will check for are medical bracelets and necklaces.

I don't pay attention to tattoos. If I scanned a persons body and saw tattoos with writing I would just keep going. If your in a condition where you can't tell me that info I'm not going to spend time looking at every tattoo.

And a tattoo in the armpit area (I imagine painful) is pretty much hidden from site unless you always plan on needing EMS and hospital services with your shirt off.

If you feel it is necessary to have that information get it printed on the medical tags that are already widely used.

 

[tacitblue]

Thanks for your input. Apparently there is no standard for communicating such information beyond bracelets and wallets.

I'll be sure to apply the same measure of indifference if I come across an EMT or LEO bleeding to death on the side of the road, not checking to see if there might be a radio or cellphone that I could use to call for assistance.

You should understand that both myself and my colleagues in the field and the ER take a medical history and preform an appropriately thorough physical exam based on our patient's complaint. Some patients have medic alert bracelets, many do not. I have never been in a situation where I missed hypoglycemia because a patient was not wearing a bracelet. Indifference is never a goal in my approach to patient care. We do not search a patients skin for additional recorded medical information, and I specifically would counsel you not to tattoo yourself for this reason.

When I recommended that you try and put less energy into this, its because I think you may be overthinking the issue. I myself have a medical problem that is followed by a subspecialist in cardiology at an academic medical center, and aside from carrying his card in my wallet, I do not feel the need to wear a bracelet or tattoo despite the fact that my particular condition could not be cared for properly by an ER physician or adult cardiologist without special consultation and assistance.

 

[Bullets]

Thanks for your input. Apparently there is no standard for communicating such information beyond bracelets and wallets.

I'll be sure to apply the same measure of indifference if I come across an EMT or LEO bleeding to death on the side of the road, not checking to see if there might be a radio or cellphone that I could use to call for assistance.

There is a standard way to communicate this information....bracelets and wallets. This is how LEOs, Fireman and EMS personnel are trained across the country

These are my favorite thread, people ask for help, dont get the answer they want and then get upset or aggravated. You arent a special snowflake, if its important enough to save your life, then comply with the industry standard

 

[JPINFV]

...for the several prompt replies.

My mentioning of blood typing was directed at ER personell, not EMT;

If you're getting blood, you're getting O negative until you can be typed and matched, in which case you would still be getting O negative blood. If anything, knowing the blood type of someone who is O negative is the least important out of all of the blood types/RH status.

"Left buttock" might be a good place, but would also generate complaints: "I was unconcious with a concussion and a broken arm! Why were you looking at my ***?!?!"

If you're an unconscious trauma patient, than you're most likely going to a trauma center, where the trauma team will rather unceremoniously conduct a standardized trauma exam upon arrival that covers the entire body and includes things like a rectal exam (looking for rectal tone and blood in the rectum, both of which can be signs of additional injury). You're butt is going to be looked at for no greater reason than to insure that your butt isn't injured.

 

[DanMcD]

If you're getting blood, you're getting O negative until you can be typed and matched, in which case you would still be getting O negative blood. If anything, knowing the blood type of someone who is O negative is the least important out of all of the blood types/RH status.



If you're an unconscious trauma patient, than you're most likely going to a trauma center, where the trauma team will rather unceremoniously conduct a standardized trauma exam upon arrival that covers the entire body and includes things like a rectal exam (looking for rectal tone and blood in the rectum, both of which can be signs of additional injury). You're butt is going to be looked at for no greater reason than to insure that your butt isn't injured.

Thanks for a sane response. Apparently the idea of people with medical issues having a standard yet private and permanent way to communicate that to EMT/ER personnel is not yet ripe for implementation.

 

[mycrofft]

We typically have looked at neck and wrist then wallet.

Head to toe assessment is supposed to take place, no?. They initially thought President Reagan was unharmed after Hinckley missed him with six shots, and he thought so too, just winded by Secret Service tackling him...until the axillary wound from a ricochet was found, which was nearly fatal.

Tattoos are not a good idea for medical info, but some people have done it.

I've seen medic alert bracelets worn as anklets. A good place for pilots and others at risk of widespread burns and severe etc. would be inside shoes or boots (that's why military pilots are footprinted).