Medical ID bracelet question

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CindyRPT

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Hello, I am not an EMT but I have a question that only EMT's are able to answer! Here's my question: I have a rare, life threatening disorder requiring a medical ID bracelet. I have had to have both of my adrenal glands surgically removed, so I am no longer able to produce cortisol at all. I do not know how familiar EMT's are with this type of medical condition since it's so rare & I'm trying to figure out how I need to word my ID bracelet, so I was hoping you might be able to give me suggestions.

My physician has given me a letter that explains it further. It says:

LIFE THREATENING CONDITION
ADRENAL CRISIS/COMA

Without urgent medical treatment, any serious injury or illness may precipitate an adrenal crisis in this patient. This can lead, rapidly, to severe hypotension or life threatening hypovolaemic shock.

If patient becomes drowsy, hypotensive, peripherally shut down OR is found unconscious, she requires rapid transport to nearest hospital & must have the following treatment immediately:

1. 100 mg Intravenous Solucortef (preferably) or Intramuscular
2. Administer Intravenous Saline Infusion

So in your professional opinion, how should I word my bracelet so that it will convey this information to the EMT's, as well as the urgency of receiving treatment since my cdt is life threatening & can go downhill very, very fast.

Thank you for any input or advice you can give me!

Sincerely,
Cindy
 
I think that is good wording. Most paramedic units only carry methylprednisone as the steroid, so chances are, you'd get fluid and 125 of solumedrol. Provided the medic was astute enough to recognize acute adrenal insufficiency and treat it appropriately.

It's also worth a letter to the local paramedic service with details on your condition. We often receive letters like this and information on the patient's condition can be entered into the CAD (computer aided dispatch) to let us know what's up.

However, we don't allow any medical advice to be given on this site, so I suggest going with your doctor's suggestion.
 
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Oh I'm sorry. I didn't think about that. I guess then I should just ask one question. As far as terminology, are EMT's more familiar with the diagnosis of Addison's or adrenal insufficiency? Thank you for the suggestion about a letter! I will definitely do that.
 
Oh! And one last question....are EMT's allowed to go into the purse or wallet. Someone told me that there's no need to include "see wallet card" on my ID bracelet because neither EMTs or hospital personnel are allowed to do that. Is that true?
 
CindyRPT said:
Oh! And one last question....are EMT's allowed to go into the purse or wallet. Someone told me that there's no need to include "see wallet card" on my ID bracelet because neither EMTs or hospital personnel are allowed to do that. Is that true?
Click to expand...

We often go thru wallets and purses to find IDs. If your bracelet says "see wallet" I am definatly going to be going to your wallet.
 
Step One: decide on your bracelet or dogtag. Consider a service where a provider can call in to get a fast summary of your issues. (Your MD office will not always be open and hospital records may balk giving info to toher agencies due to HIPAA / valid concerns).

Step Two: decide on wording with your doctor which will fit onto the medic alert tag or bracelet. The manufacturer will tell you how much you can fit. The more you put, also, the smaller and harder it is to read.

Step Three: yes, have a laminated wallet card as well as "jewelry".

Hint: I bought an actual pair of GI style stainless steel dogtags. One has name, medical condition, phone numbers; the second has name, and meds (I take four). The tags cost me about $8 (versus at least $36 for "nicer"-looking flimsier ones), and as my condition and medication changes I can cheaply order replacement tags (don't need a chain) as "luggage tags" for even less. HOWEVER, they are sort of clunky and noisy sometimes. HOWEVER-HOWEVER, they are very legible, tough, and I can rattle them to call my cat.
 
mycrofft said:
Step One: decide on your bracelet or dogtag. Consider a service where a provider can call in to get a fast summary of your issues. (Your MD office will not always be open and hospital records may balk giving info to toher agencies due to HIPAA / valid concerns).

Step Two: decide on wording with your doctor which will fit onto the medic alert tag or bracelet. The manufacturer will tell you how much you can fit. The more you put, also, the smaller and harder it is to read.

Step Three: yes, have a laminated wallet card as well as "jewelry".

Hint: I bought an actual pair of GI style stainless steel dogtags. One has name, medical condition, phone numbers; the second has name, and meds (I take four). The tags cost me about $8 (versus at least $36 for "nicer"-looking flimsier ones), and as my condition and medication changes I can cheaply order replacement tags (don't need a chain) as "luggage tags" for even less. HOWEVER, they are sort of clunky and noisy sometimes. HOWEVER-HOWEVER, they are very legible, tough, and I can rattle them to call my cat.
Click to expand...
use rubber dog tag silencers
 
You can definitely believe any altered or unresponsive patient will get a full search of their belongings (unless it's big *** suit cases, that can wait until the ER). We need all the clues we can get to what's going on. If you have a med-alert bracelet that says to call that number in emergency for info. Someone will probably call it and try to find out what's up. If you also print out that note you typed up, and keep it in your wallet. Chances are, it will probably be read.

Edit: Also, sign up for something like this http://www.medicalert.org/ - It has a 24 hour hotline that medics can call with an ID engraved on your bracelet for all of your information. If you don't want to pay for something like that. You can also create something on the computer and list your entire history, allergies, ****CURRENT (and updated)***** medications. And include your emergency family contacts and that letter from the doctor. Pre-hospitally, you would probably only get that bolus if your doctor wants that specific medication administered. But if you are unresponsive / hypotensive without response to a bolus, you will probably be transported emergently to the ER.
 
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