Medical ID's

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bunkie

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I wear a medical ID bracelet. One of my instructors said that I should have it as a necklace, that its what *he* always checks for. And that any EMT *he's* ever known, almost always checks for a necklace first.

So now I'm wondering, what do you check for? Which is best?
 
Your instructor says probably checks the kneck first, because when you do a rapd physical exam, its a head to toe exam. When I first approach a patient, medical alert tags is something i scan for real quick. The medical alert bracelets are quite common, if not more widely used. you'll be just fine with your bracelet. In my class we were even told to check for medical alert anklets
 
When doing an exam, I'll look for necklace, wrist, and anklet alert tags, even as I'm walking up to you. Chances are pretty good that I'll find it within a few seconds. If you have one... just wear it.
 
Akulahawk said:
When doing an exam, I'll look for necklace, wrist, and anklet alert tags, even as I'm walking up to you. Chances are pretty good that I'll find it within a few seconds. If you have one... just wear it.
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thats one of the things i didnt like about practicing patient assessment in basic class, verbalizing checking each extremity for an alert tag. i agree that in all reality you should notice during your scene size up survey, if not then in your initial assessment. it shouldnt wait untill your physical assessment(not that algorithms like this actually last 10 seconds in the field)
 
I dunno about a necklace.... What if you were wearing it around your neck and your head came off? The medic alert could easily get lost before I got on scene...
 
well, in the case of decapitation... (regardless of medic alert tags) I'd just have to determine death and move on...
 
BruceD said:
I dunno about a necklace.... What if you were wearing it around your neck and your head came off? The medic alert could easily get lost before I got on scene...
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That is why the other Alert Tag should go in the laces of your boot. O wait that is for Dog Tags...

Akulahawk said:
well, in the case of decapitation... (regardless of medic alert tags) I'd just have to determine death and move on...
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:lol:
 
well it dosnt really matter what you wear cause if the pt assessment is done well, your going to find it anyway. keep in mind some ppl have tattoos as a medical alert now( inside arm or wrist). so always keep an eye open and take a good history.
 
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Akulahawk said:
well, in the case of decapitation... (regardless of medic alert tags) I'd just have to determine death and move on...
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But what if they had a particular allergy to decapitation and you missed it due to loss of the tag? Wouldn't you feel like a right fool?

I wonder if Epi is first line rx for decapitation analphylaxis...

Sometimes, occasionally, I wonder if my work hours are too long or if my sense of humor was always this twisted and morbid.
 
Akulahawk said:
When doing an exam, I'll look for necklace, wrist, and anklet alert tags, even as I'm walking up to you. Chances are pretty good that I'll find it within a few seconds. If you have one... just wear it.
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That's me as well. I'm looking for it before I get to the PT.
 
BruceD said:
But what if they had a particular allergy to decapitation and you missed it due to loss of the tag? Wouldn't you feel like a right fool?

I wonder if Epi is first line rx for decapitation analphylaxis...

Sometimes, occasionally, I wonder if my work hours are too long or if my sense of humor was always this twisted and morbid.
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well, we lost our grant for emergent sewing-machine re-capitation last week... That Singer was really good...

Maybe staples would work? Hmmm, I sense a new grant proposal...:P
 
I personally would find one on the wrist first. Pulse is nearly always checked before the head to toe exam.
 
It doesn't really matter where they check first, as long as they check all places that could have a medicial alert tag. Someone who only checks the wrist or only checks the neck is foolish and asking for trouble.

Personallly I check both wrists of every patient first, but it's habit from working IFT and looking for ID and allergy braclets and vascular alerts.
 
Aidey said:
I personally would find one on the wrist first. Pulse is nearly always checked before the head to toe exam.
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*nods* In initial assessment. Thats more the train of thought I was having as well. Alright, not spending another 50 bucks on a new tag. Thanks guys. ;)
 
As Sasha said, don't limit yourself only to the neck and wrist when checking for a ID tag. Just be on your toes ready to observe anything that helps your assessment.
 
They even make them as anklets these days. :wacko: Personally, I want mine in the most obvious place, but whatever floats your boat I suppose.
 
bunkie said:
They even make them as anklets these days. :wacko: Personally, I want mine in the most obvious place, but whatever floats your boat I suppose.
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When it's really obvious, people tend to grab for it and ask all sorts of obnoxious personal questions. That's why I completely refused to wear one as a teenager, and still often leave it off.

My instructor also had us check pockets and wallets, but nobody really does that. If you have the time, your patient probably isn't all that critical...
 
Seaglass said:
When it's really obvious, people tend to grab for it and ask all sorts of obnoxious personal questions. That's why I completely refused to wear one as a teenager, and still often leave it off.

My instructor also had us check pockets and wallets, but nobody really does that. If you have the time, your patient probably isn't all that critical...
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Mine isn't so obvious people notice it, fortunately. And I really dont mind educating people on my condition. Mine, with a black symbol instead of red.
 
bunkie said:
Mine isn't so obvious people notice it, fortunately. And I really dont mind educating people on my condition. Mine, with a black symbol instead of red.
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People always seem to notice mine... I've tried a lot of different types. It's gotten better as I've gotten older, so I'm hoping it'll stop eventually. Two of my jobs are also in the sort of macho places where weakness and illness are personality defects, so drawing any attention to it is pretty counterproductive.

I've ordered a medic alert watch for work. At least then I won't have to wear a watch and a bracelet.
 
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