Medic Alert Bracelet ? for any medical professionals out there

You know Amy, I have read about getting one of these bracelets for post op...but I never thought to get one for my drug allergies. I do have a systematic reaction to sulfa drugs...and demerol.  I always think those are for diabetics etc and even with my history as an RN *****tired for motherhood I never thought about the fact that someone could give me a potentially deadly drug if I was unconcious and brought to the wrong hospital. As you said, the tube will go in if it needs to go in, the aspirin will be given if they think it's a stroke or heart attack...it's all about the priorities.  Damage to the pouch can be managed afterwards, lack of an airway, overdose of medication, contaminated food etc might kill you before that happens.  When you have a patient come in from an auto accident, sometimes you might ignore a massive gash in the leg, possibly leading to infection, when you realize that they have bleeding into their abdomin and their spleen is lacerated.  You go from life threatening on down... The infection can be managed later , the bleeding spleen will kill now. So if you're unconcious, they will look at the medic alert for things that can kill you, and take the rest under advisement.  However, they will outright ignore those extras if needed to save your life. Laney

If you order one from Lauren's Hope, they have a template for different medical conditions. I had RNY and mine says:  No Blind NG Tube                                             No NSAIDS

It also lists my name, surgery type, and my doctor's phone #.

                                           

I went to the ER about a month ago with chest pains.  My EKG was a bit "abnormal".  Among many other meds, they insisted I take 4 aspirins. Say what??? I said NO!  I can't have them........my surgeon says.  They said in a time of a true emergency (heart attack).......it's better to just chalk down the Aspirin. The NG tube.........might be a real problem though. Cheri

They can do an NG tube, but they must use a scope. This is what you would want on your bracelet.

EMS doesn't give NSAIDS in the field.  NG tubes are done blindly outside of the hospital.  There is no other way to do it. If you need a NG tube, you will get one.  You cannot stop EMS from doing this if your life depends on it. Your pouch comes second to your life. Donna (EMT)

Having worked in EMS and now in nursing, if I knew someone had a RNY or WLS I would be more cautious in placing a blind NGT.  If you know they have a small pouch, instead of a normal Stomach.......you would not advance the tube any further than you have to in order to get the decompression that you need.  In people with a normal stomach, advancing the tube past the point of their just below their zyphoid process is not a big deal.  however, with a small pouch, I personally, would be more careful.  What service would I do to the person I was trying to save, if I perforated their pouch wall and caused a leakage into their abdomen that might not be noticed until it presented it's own set of complications? So, I as a medical personnel, would appreciate knowing if a person had WLS and I would use extra caution in inserting an NGT.  And a statement like you would get it and you couldn't stop us is sort of misleading.  If the person is awake and coherent, they always have the right to refuse. Just my personal take on Medical Alert Bracelets........for me, I'd look and try to respect what was on the bracelet as much as treatment would allow. Cheryl 

Hi Cheryl.   Of course if I knew that a pt. had WLS I would never intentionally advance it down further than it has to go.  That would be pointless...however there are many EMS personnel who do not know/understand about WLS and may overlook this.  I've talked to alot of my co-workerrs about WLS, many of them are very greatful to hear what I have to say and they ask questions such as asking for diagrams of different WLS procedures. My point of saying there is nothing a pt. can do to stop a lifesaving procedure such as NG, ETT, or otherwise, is that the pt. life comes first.  That is our main concern as EMS.  Stable, pack and transport.  You know the drill if you worked in EMS.  I'm sorry if I came across as not caring, but not everyone one the EMS system unfortuneatly does care or even understands WLS.  Burnout rates are high and sometimes it's easier to get caubght up in trying to save the "body" than the real person.    The fact remains though, EMS will do life saving procedures if your life depends on it irregardless of what a med id peice of jewlry says. Unless there is a DNR in place, we do what we have to do to save this persons life at all costs. Its' all about triage as a nurse youshould understand this.  ABC is our top priority. there is no P for pouch in there.   I don't mean to sound blunt or rough, but why int he world would someone want to "save" a pouch if it mean precious seconds of someones life?  I for one would not for one second worry about a pouch if I could not see vocal cords I am going to place that ETT in to get a airway established if i miss because of some trauma to the face or neck, I am human trust me I DO NOT WAnT to miss.  I want to get that airway in.   My point is, EMS was established for the sole purpose of getting a person to the facilities where medical foks can help them the most.  Our buses don't are NOT rolling ER's as you know we have what we have and use that to the best of our ability. Im a bit suprised you have this attitude as EMS and a nurse. I have spent the last 30 mins trying to type this, my 20 month old granddaughter is needing and wanting my attention :)  So excuse the typos and misspellings. Take care.. Donna ps..I'll try to type more later I can't right now. PSS...Somthing I forgot to adress (My granddaughter is busy now with my plastic bowls and putting her stuffed animals in them) you said "If the person is awake and coherent, they always have the right to refuse. Just my personal take on Medical Alert Bracelets........for me, I'd look and try to respect what was on the bracelet as much as treatment would allow". huh?? what Pt. that needs a ETT or NG is "awake and coherent"?? By Florida law:  Patients have the right to refuse treatment and/or transport if they are of legal age and are competent. Competence is defined as the capacity or ability to understand the nature and effects of one’s acts or decisions.  When BLS unit is dispatched to a scene 9/10 times the Pt. is competent and concious and can give direction on the type of care they want and need. when AcLS unit is dispatched to a scene it is most likely for a unconscious and somnolent Pt. therefore they cannot speak or give instructions on what they want re: their medical care.  A med ID purpose is to speak for Pt. when they cannot.  By law unless you have a DNR in place ALONG with med ID there is nothing on the Med ID jewelry that can instruct us in what life saving procedure to provide.  We look for what medications you are on, what allergies you have, contact of phys. info and family contact info.  if a person needs a life saving procedure my job is to maintain Oropharyngeal and/or nasopharyngeal airways irregardless of any WLS procedure and I am sure other EMS would agree here.

I am glad that you are sharing your knowledge of WLS with your co-workers.  That's great.   "I don't mean to sound blunt or rough, but why int he world would someone want to "save" a pouch if it mean precious seconds of someones life?"   I know that EMS providers don't always measure for an NGT in an emergency.  The tube is advanced until you get stomach contents or decompression.  Sure, I'd still respect the ABC's and try to do what was necessary to save someone's life.  But, again........we are also to do no harm.  I also agree that saving a pouch would be worthless if we lost the patient.  Field Triage is a vital part of EMS duties.  If it's a cardiac or respiratory arrest, you don't even worry about ID or such.......you better intervene or else!  Not every EMS response is a matter of life or death.  I would just make sure that I didn't advance the tube unnecessarily on someone that had WLS if it wasn't a life or death situation.  That was my point.    My husband had the ambulance service in a south Texas county for several years.  If it was a true emergency, we worried about ID cards, Insurance cards or medic alert bracelets after we stabilized them.  So, yes, if it was a true emergency, they'd have gotten a tube no matter what........ Sincerely, Cheryl

Hi again Cheryl..I'll reply as I can as I have my grandbaby here. I really think we should take this to PM as I feel you are implying I would intentionally risk someones WLS on purpose. Please know this..I am not an evil person I went into EMS as a perrson who wnats to make a difference in saving lives in a prehospital situation.  Both parents are physicians and I was to become one but life would say otherwise. I would NEVER intentionally comprimise a WLS pt.s pouch ok?  I am quite sure, but I cannot speak for ALL EMS, that if you are indeed EMS your whole point of being in your job is to of course first do no harm and I personally do not know one person in EMS who would intentionally harm a Pt for poops and giggles. we are trained to asessthe situation for ABC first.  If and when I can, I ALWAYS look for med alerts.  I WANT that person to make it to ED alive and in a postion to recieve services to save their lives.

Hi, I appologize if my post came across wrongly.  I sent you a message.  Just know that I also, would never do anything to adversely affect someone's care.  I appreciate what EMS do, for sure!  I hope my message helps to explain. Sincerely, Cheryl