Communication in a Medical Emergency Can Save Your Life

It is important to communicate during a medical emergency, and when you are not able speak for yourself. How will your doctor know your medical history in order to properly treat you. You need a convenient way to carry your emergency medical information with you at all times.

"In a medical emergency, you might be unconscious or unable to speak for yourself," said Alfred Sacchetti, MD, of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "That's why it's so important to make sure that medical personnel have access to your medical history, as well as relevant contact information. For example, knowing what medications you are taking could prevent severe drug interactions, and knowing what allergies you have could prevent serious reactions."

Millions of Americans have medical conditions which should be immediately known to Emergency Personnel.
Diabetes (over 13 million), diagnosed heart disease (23 million), Alzheimer's, transplant surgery, patient's currently on blood thinners such as Coumadin, epilepsy, asthma, severe allergies, cancer patients and medication allergies such as penicillin and other antibiotics are all conditions that should be brought to the attention of emergency personnel. Additionally, many of us are reasonably health but getting older (36 million people age 65 and over) and our list of medications continue to grow with the years.

With over 110 million emergency room visits a year, your emergency information may actually be the most important information of your life. According to quoted studies from The Institute of Medicine an estimate of 44,000 to 98,000 hospitalized Americans die each year from errors made from medical practitioners, and 7,000 dies because of medication mishaps.

Who needs to keep their emergency information available and updated?
Actually, all of us should but very few do. However for those at risk, such as seniors, people with chronic illness, serious allergies or medication complications, special needs children and anyone traveling away from home it is something that should not be overlooked. Children should also have the proper medical information on them at all times if they have a medical condition or serious allergy.

What information should be maintained?
Here are just some of the things recommended by Edward Stettner, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University Atlanta, GA and other healthcare professionals.
* Medical history - Chronic medical conditions
* Medications -Including over-the-counter
* Allergies -Medications and foods
* Surgical history -Include the date, hospital and surgeon
* Private physician -Include primary care as well as specialists
* Emergency contacts -Multiple contacts with alternate numbers
* Miscellaneous -Include advance directives, specific dietary needs, or any other important information.

What are your options to carry your medical information?
There are many generic medical ID bracelets and jewelry tags available today, however they are generally limited by their size to the amount of information that can be displayed on them and because of their small size, they are sometimes overlooked by emergency personnel during a crisis. The wallet cards some provide are also limited by their small size and often become unreadable in a very short time. While they can alert medics that you have special medical needs, they can not convey all your important emergency information during a crisis, when it is needed most.

So how do you carry all that information around with you?
Digital technology allows a very large amount of information to be stored on surprisingly small devices. MedicTag LLC has adapted this technology to produce an emergency information device that fits on a key ring. The device is simple to use and works with your desktop or laptop computer. You can fill out the information form and make changes whenever necessary, always keeping your emergency information up to date. Emergency responders on site with a laptop or at the emergency room can have instant access to your vital information, even if you are unconscious, allowing them to diagnose and properly treat you with as little delay as possible.

Do you need to have your emergency information available?
For most of us the answer is probably yes. If not you, how about a child, parent or other loved one in your family? Considering the possible life saving benefits, it is something that we should seriously consider, for safety and security that affects the whole family.