Medical ID tattoo suggestions

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Tarlinlv

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Looking to get medical ID tattoo. I would like to get feedback from professions in the field as to what they notice or would notice in regards to a left arm av fistula, I have a drafted idea, let me know what you think or what could be changed or moved for easier identification. Again thank you all for your time and input, and also thank you for your services.
 
I was actually thinking about getting my blood type tatted on my arm below my LAC. My opinion is that if it is too artistic then it may not be noticed. Somewhere between plain text and Ed Hardy would be good.
 
I was just going to chime in and say that getting your blood type tatted is useless. Pre-hospitally, most places will not transfuse blood and in the hospital, everyone will get O negative until the lab types and cross matches. It is just too large a liability for a doctor to rely on some extraneous piece of information and potentially transfuse the wrong blood type. Thus, they will only transfuse type-specific blood products after their lab and blood bank have gone through the official process.
 
gotshirtz001 said:
I was actually thinking about getting my blood type tatted on my arm below my LAC. My opinion is that if it is too artistic then it may not be noticed. Somewhere between plain text and Ed Hardy would be good.
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If you are laying unresponsive in a trauma bay with a true time-sensitive emergency, you'll get O-neg no matter what your tattoo says. If it's not that time sensitive, they'll type you anyway before sending blood.....again, regardless of what your tat says.
 
Pretty much what others have said. No one is really going to pay attention to a tattoo, especially if there are multiple tattoos. You are much better off getting a medical alert tag with the fistual info. If you are really set on the tattoo, get one on the arm (wrist, AC or both) that says AV fistula with an arrow pointing up the arm. Don't waste time with the blood type. O- (O+ if male) for emergent needs, otherwise you will be typed and crossed.
 
good points on the blood typing and not making it artistic. I'm more concerned with first responders/ER using my left arm for BP, IV, and blood draws. I would hate to lose a dialysis access due to left arm being used if the right was just as accessible. I can see if it was a severe trauma but I'm also looking to the less serious circumstances where I may not be able to communicate to not use this particular arm. I also know there are necklaces and bracelets, but there are times when clothing jewelry etc are immediately taken off. I have one other tattoo (very small) so this won't be lost in a mess of other art
 
Medical alert tags don't get taken off without being read (or at least shouldn't). Get the bracelet and wear it on the arm with the fistula this way if someone goes to use that arm, the first thing they will see is the bracelet.
 
ERDoc said:
Medical alert tags don't get taken off without being read (or at least shouldn't). Get the bracelet and wear it on the arm with the fistula this way if someone goes to use that arm, the first thing they will see is the bracelet.
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This.

No guarantee that someone will notice and honor the bracelet of course, but it's probably more reliable than a tattoo.
 
ive had my bracelet ignored twice in the past, each in different city. I'm reluctant to rely solely on an alert tag anymore. That's not to say I don't wear one, but the more flags I give to the ones who need it I will. I was just entertaining the thought of a tattoo for the fact it can't be cut off if in a hurry in the field, and is yet another alert that might catch attention. Maybe the wording and placement should be different
 
Like I said, get a tatto that says AV Fistula with an arrow pointing up the arm. Get an arm band that says AV fistula and wear it at all times.
 
Hard part with patients who have AV fistulas is that not all paramedics and EMTs are familiar with them and don't know how to identify them. You would be good to get a tag that says use right arm for IVs and BPs.
 
gotshirtz001 said:
I was actually thinking about getting my blood type tatted on my arm below my LAC. My opinion is that if it is too artistic then it may not be noticed. Somewhere between plain text and Ed Hardy would be good.
Click to expand...
If I did this I feel like the doctor would see "O-" and just drain me of all my blood.
 
gotshirtz001 said:
Unicorn.
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The Red Cross calls me atleast 3-4 times a week telling me they "need my blood"....


What they don't seem to realize is I need it too.
 
I would look at it if I saw the star of life. I saw one with DM2 once, it made me laugh a little.
 
You could also just wear a stylish hot pink "vascular alert" band that they use in hospitals.
Just grab a dozen of them next time you're at the hospital.
 
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