Why You Should Wear A Medical ID Bracelet

Medical ID Bracelets are often seen on patients with Diabetes; a very rare blood type; or those on a blood thinner.  These types of diseases are very sensitive to what type of treatment may be given them in an emergency.  The Diabetic girl needs Orange Juice with sugar, Stat; or her insulin!  Do NOT give blood type ___to patient #2!!  No Heparin for Mr. L on thinners.

What about those patients who take ongoing medications of any type, for any reason?  Just as the patient senarios above, those on meds must have this information available to First Responders, an ER, or even for the layman that happens to be there if something happened that they can attend to.

Wearing a Medical ID Bracelet identifies you to Medical Personnel as a patient, first and foremost.  They are made aware that you are under a doctor's care.  This is highly important for the nurses and doctors to know in an emergency.  They should be able to get in touch with the doctor, to discuss treatment options when they are made aware through your bracelet- that you are on medications.  You are not a blank slate for them.  What medicines you take gives immediate information to the medical staff that they need to know; "Are you taking any medications?", is one of the most important questions to hopefully get a clear answer to, from any patient that is new!  It fills in the highly important area, Medications; in your chart, and guides the care plan and what medications to add, and in the case of the Chronic Pain patient: Keep giving.

It is highly important that patients who take ongoing, daily medications for pain; not stop them abruptly.  If opiates are used in your total treatment plan, you must take the steps to be certain that you will never be in the situation to not take it.  If an accident, for instance occurs, you cannot speak for some reason, and you see everyone in the ER zooming around, it is chaotic, and you just can't get the words out of your mouth.  Now you forget the names of the meds you take everyday.  That medical team has the right to know that you are taking medications on an ongoing basis.  Especially Opiates, any Anti-Convulsant used for Nerve Pain, possibly anti-depressants, benzodiazepines for muscle relaxing and anxiety; (both common in Chronic Pain)any meds you use on a PRN basis, ***(PRN--As Needed**), as in those to sleep, or for anxiety.  These are all medications that are critical to continue as you have been taking them, with no abrupt stop. 

It is the responsibility of the patient to have some method to let medical personnel be alerted to the fact that daily medications are part of your life.  I just received the ID bracelet I ordered through Amazon.  They have a great selection of Medical ID Bracelets.  One style has a USB piece that holds your Medical Information on it, and if the First Responders or ER has a computer, they simply insert this into the USB port, and up pops all the information they need to treat you as if they knew you as a patient!  This style says it is Waterproof.

I opted for a slim, (about 1/2" wide) stainless steel bracelet with a clasp that opens up, which holds a water-resistant paper made to bond with the ink, making it a waterproof paper chock-full of Medical Information.  I would recommend never removing it, ergo the waterproof and resistant designs; and much less chance of then forgetting it.  It was reasonably priced, and shipped quickly.  They also carry the more-often-seen simple chain with a metal piece that is usually engraved with the patients medical condition.  It is hard to list multiple medications on this style of ID bracelets.

Wearing an ID bracelet is responsible, safe, calming, and more than helpful; and if you were unable to speak for yourself, your bracelet could do a quite a bit of the talking; giving imperative information to whomever you are blessed enough to have take care of you.

This is dedicated to all the wonderful nurses I have known, from back in school--and throughout my career, and those working hard to heal this world; one special patient at a time.  Remember...Nurses R Angels!!!  

    
 With Gentle Hugs...<3


Wearing a medical ID bracelet is a good way to get the health care providers your information. And having affordable health insurance is a must!

101 Blog Posts Every New Nurse Should Read

I'm happy to report that 'Shauna's Life In Pain....' blog, has been featured over at NursePractitionerSchools.org, in a wonderful list of blogs that have posts recommended for all new nurses.  The Authors chose my post about the reality of filling monthly meds for pain patients.  She noted that I had the unusual viewpoint of both a nurse and a patient.  The list is extensive and you will find a plethora of reading material, along with 101 new blogs to discover!  Thank you for including me!!  


And as always... Gentle Hugs...<3