MEDICALERT FOUNDATION TURNS 35, ISSUES WARNING TO MDS ABOUT LOOKALIKE BRACELETS

Steven Wharry

The MedicAlert bracelet provides 11Gi S ial R !1SU~~~~~~~~~~~~~5 .. _ m~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~fi j S more than a simple warning about a medical condition. Physicians who treat patients wearing them have ac- cess to detailed information that in- cludes the patient's medical history, , , the name of the attending physician and emer- gency contact numbers. In 1996, the 35th anniversary of the foundation, MedicAlert is asking physicians to ensure that pertinent information is documented and kept up to date in patients' medical records and that patients with spe- M edicAlert bracelets - idents and the imitations available in some cific medical conditions be directed -are considered a valuable drug and jewelry stores. to the foundation. Physicians are also safety device for people whose med- 'Watch for MedicAlert lookalikes, encouraged to consult MedicAlert ical conditions are not readily appar- as they can be a problem," she warns. bracelets during routine examina- ent, but the MedicAlert Foundation "If a patient wearing an imitation is in tions and to specify conditions - us- says many Canadians may be court- an emergency situation and the ing "angina" instead of "heart condi- ing problems by wearing imitations physician phones the foundation for tion," for example - to ensure that that will not provide physicians with more medical information, that infor- the most accurate and useful infor- essential medical information. mation won't be on file." mation is provided on the idents. "MedicAlert is a system patients join for a lifetime," says Dr. Cornelia Baines of Toronto, past chair of the MedicAlert Foundation. "It allows them to update their medical file every year, and the file will always accessible to health care profession- als in an emergency.` She warns that the personal infor- mation is not available through bracelets sold commercially, and be- lieves that it is important to educate patients about the difference be- tween genuine MedicAlert bracelets

Steven Wharryis the associate editorofCMA News. x-- For prescribing information see page 942 CAN MED ASSOC J * MAR. 15, 1996; 154 (6) 919 It is also important that physicians Sandy Gorham, a 32-year-old troduced to complement the stan- look for the MedicAlert bracelet dur- CDA employee, has worn a bracelet dard stainless-steel, red-lettered ing medical emergencies so they will warning that she is diabetic since bracelet. be aware of any known medical con- she was a child. "The bracelets are Bracelets and "necklets" in pre- dition and the hot line number particularly important for people cious metals are now available, al- where additional information is avail- with or low blood sugar be- though at higher prices. There is also able. cause [during an episode] people of- a new model, a "sports" bracelet that MedicAlert serves patients of all ten mistake them for someone who attaches with Velcro; this April, a ages. One of the most common condi- is drunk," says Gorham. They are newly designed stainless steel tions detailed on bracelets is diabetes, especially valuable when diabetic bracelet without the characteristic and Lyn McDonnell of the Canadian patients become unconscious or in- red markings will be available. Diabetes Association (CDA) says the coherent. To get free MedicAlert member bracelets can make a life-and-death Formed in 1961, the nonprofit enrolment forms with a stand and difference. "It is very important that foundation is funded solely through posters for physician offices and hos- caregivers know that diabetes is membership enrolment and ident pitals, call 800 668-1507 (English), an underlying condition, because fees and donations; it has about 800 668-6381 (French) or (fax) 800 it isn't always diabetes that brings 800 000 members. In recent years 392-8422, and indicate the quantity people into an emergency room.` many new products have been in- required. m

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920 CAN MED ASSOC J * 15 MARS 1996; 154 (6)