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, medications, allergies, 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 diabetes 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 Oct. 14-17, 1996: MEDNET '96 - European Oct. 30-Nov. 2, 1996: 2nd National Confer- 0 Congress of the Internet in Medicine ence on Tobacco or Health - Tobacco-Free Brighton, England Canada Language: English Ottawa Oct. 6-9, 1996: 75th Anniversary - Celebrat- Clive Baldock, Medical Physics Department, Taylor and Associates, PO Box 46066, 2339 ing the Discovery of Insulin : an International Brighton Health Care National Health Service Ogilvie Rd., Gloucester ON K1J 9M7; tel 613 Research Symposium on Diabetes, Focusing Trust, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern 747-0262, fax 613 745-1846 on Beta-Cell Function and Insulin Action Rd., Brighton BN2 5BE, England; tel 01273 (sponsored by the Banting and Best Diabetes ext. fax 01273 info Centre, University of Toronto, and the Toronto 696-955, 4387, 664-503; Nov. 15-16, 1996: Translating Physics into @mednet.org.uk; Website: http://www.mednet. Clinical Practice Hospital, Toronto; the Joslin Diabetes Center, org.uk/mednet/mednet.htm Boston; and the Karolinska Institute, Stock- Toronto holm, Sweden) Continuing Education, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Oct. 18-20, 1996: Canadian Medical Society University of Toronto, Rm. 121, 150 College St., Abstract deadline: May 1, 1996 on Alcohol and Other Drugs 8th Annual Scien- Toronto ON M5S 1A8; tel 416 978-2719, fax 75th Anniversary - Celebrating the Discov- tific Meeting - the Art of Addiction Medicine 416 978-2200 ery of Insulin, cdo Continuing Education, Faculty North York, Ont. of Medicine, University of Toronto, Rm. 121, 150 Wilcom Services Inc., 59 Horner Dr., Nepean Les 28 et 29 nov. 1996 : Colloque du 200 an- College St., Toronto ON M5S 1A8; tel 416 ON K2H 5G1; tel 613 596-6064, fax 613 niversaire de la Revue d'6pidimiologie et de 978-2719, fax 416 971-2200; a.lind@utoronto. 596-0711 sante publique (avec l'aide de l'Institut na- ca; website: http://bioinfo.med.utoronto.ca/ tional de la sante et de la recherche m6dicale ~cme/ et des tditions Masson) Oct. 24-26, 1996: Section of Teachers of Paris, France Family Medicine Annual Workshop Nadine Job-Spira, Secretariat de la RESP, Oct. 9-13, 1996: 4th International Symposium Ottawa Porte 26, Secteur bleu, HOpital de Bicetre, 82, on Childhood Deafness - Serving All Children Debby LeFebvre, College of Family Physicians rue du G6neral Leclerc, 94276 Le Kremlin- with Hearing Loss of Canada, 2630 Skymark Ave., Mississauga ON Bicetre Cedex, France; tel 33 1 4521-2343, fax Kiawah Island, SC 14W 5A4; tel 905 629-0900 or 800 387-6197, 33 1 4521-2075 Sheila Lewis, Bill Wilkerson Center, 1114 fax 905 629-0893 19th Ave. S, Nashville TN 37212; tel 615 340-8292, fax 615 343-7705 Dec. 5-6, 1996: National Animal Care and Use Oct. 24-27, 1996: 12th Annual Dermatology Committees Affairs conference (cosponsored Update International Symposium (sponsored by the University of Texas Health Science Oct. 11-13, 1996: 4th World Biomedical Con. by the Division of Dermatology, University of Center at San Antonio) ference of the Hellenic Diaspora British Columbia) San Antonio, Tex. Nicosia, Cyprus Vancouver Conferences, Scientists Center for Animal Pancyprian Medical Association, PO Box Bernice Chu or Debbie Rees, Events By De- Welfare, Golden Triangle Building One, 1348, Nicosia, Cyprus; tel 357 2 367-401, fax sign, 601-325 Howe St., Vancouver BC 340-7833 Walker Dr., Greenbelt MD 20770; tel 357 2 367-016 V6C 1Z7; tel 604 669-7175, fax 604 669-7083 301 345-3500, fax 301 345-3503 920 CAN MED ASSOC J * 15 MARS 1996; 154 (6).