Wording a medical ID bracelet: read before voting!

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Ds has quite a few known allergies and "issues" with meds and other things. His medical bracelet is outdated. I'm looking at American medical ID because they have the most space. I considered medic alert, but decided against it (just in case someone mentions them).

 

Help me decide what/how/where to put everything. The bracelet can be engraved on front and back. Different characters per line is why I listed the way I did.

 

Front

 

First Name

Asthma

Carries epi

Multiple med(?)

Allergies

 

Back

 

Allergic to

Adhesives

Penicillin

Psych meds

Singulair

 

What are the chances that an ER would even give singulair? Replace "singulair" with "more" or "others"? What about antipsychotics in an emergency? Will the medics/ER flip the bracelet to get more info?

 

I could put "see back" on the front, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that he "only" has problems with the meds listed, and that takes space. I thought "multiple med allergies" or "multiple allergies" could leave it open ended enough and the worst are listed on the back.

 

Most likely, I'll be available in an emergency and the bracelet could help remind me of some things. However, I also want to think of worst case. What if he's with his father who would never call me (this is very unlikely because he rarely sees him!)? What if we're in an accident and I'm unconscious?

 

He's allergic to or intolerant to 4(?) psych meds, all different classes, one a seizure med/mood stabilizer, so I can't include all those names or anything. Will medical professionals recognize "psych" as psychiatric? I don't see why not, but when we used medicalert, they were very specific about things never being abbreviated.

 

It's important that medics and er know of adhesive allergy because the resulting rashes are very strange and not always localized. Of course it's extremely painful as well.

 

In his emergency bag, there's a card with everything needed and phone numbers, but what if that somehow doesn't make it to the hospital?

 

Any other ideas?

[Catherine]

Being allergic to "psych meds" is meaningless.  The actual names of the meds or the class of drugs (such as SSRI) need to be written.  

[Catwoman]

I think you need to be more specific. Something like "psych meds" could mean entirely different things to different people. Also, what kind of adhesives is he allergic to? (And is he truly allergic, or does he just have a sensitivity to certain adhesives and get a minor rash from them? I only ask this because if he is ever in an accident, the doctors will probably have to use some kind of adhesive.) Is he only allergic to Singulair, or is there a particular ingredient in Singulair that might also be in other medications?

 

I think you're being far too general. I also think you need to stick with listing only the things to which he is severely allergic.

[Whereneverever]

I would get a USB medical alert bracelet at that point. Also, you generally need an ICE #- in case of emergency contact number. You'd also generally add a birthdate because various treatment options depend on age. Which adhesives is the allergy to?

[Catherine]

And I'd add that a bracelet is for alerting an emergency provider to anything that can cause a life-threatening reaction. I wouldn't include anything on the bracelet that is not in that category.  I don't know the nature of your son's reactions in the past-just throwing this out there as a general guideline.  

[Whereneverever]

And yes, psych meds are way too broad. Especially since there's crossover with anesthesia for some drugs you'll want to include actual drug names or classes.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

So far he's allergic to everything sticky; EKG pads, tegaderm, stickers, bandaids, even paper tape but less so.

 

He's allergic/intolerant to risperdal, Ritalin, tegretol, and Zoloft. His psychiatrist has said to stay away from the entire class for each med.

 

I'm not sure on singulair if it's ingredient specific. His regular dr didn't know if it would ever be given in the ER (not an emergency med) or if he were admitted for whatever reason.

[Mrs Mungo]

What does some of this mean? For example, over time Singulair started causing mood issues in my son. However, if he was having a particularly bad breathing problem and the doctors thought Singlulair would help on a short-term basis, he isn't *allergic* to it and could therefore take it if medically necessary on a short-term basis. So, that isn't something that would go on a medic alert bracelet. 

 

I would get him two bracelets, one that lists allergies (true allergies, not things he didn't tolerate well) and one for the asthma inhaler/epipen alert. 

[Whereneverever]

I would focus on the med allergies, contact information, and drug classes he can't have. If he's in a car accident or something they're going to need to use some type of adhesive depending on his injuries. And seriously, check out the USB medic alerts. My DD has a more traditional one and a USB she wears together.

[TravelingChris]

What do you mean by allergies?  Because my dd who is allergic to two groups of medications, has had negative reactions to a few medications which are not allergies.  Like Allegra increases her PMS symptoms.  One of the anti-depressants causes headaches.  Neither of these reactions are allergic and we don't note them on her Medic-alert bracelet nor in the record they keep. 

[Whereneverever]

http://socialservicecompliance.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/medication-reminder-system-and-care-medical-history-bracelet/usb-bracelet/

[Mrs Mungo]

He's allergic/intolerant to risperdal, Ritalin, tegretol, and Zoloft. His psychiatrist has said to stay away from the entire class for each med.

 

 

Allergic and intolerant are not the same thing. What is his reaction? Would his reaction to that drug/food/item be life threatening? If not, then I wouldn't put it on a medic alert bracelet. It could cloud the issue in an emergency situation, IMO.

[nukeswife]

My kids are only allergic to one med but I want that to be front and center, not on the back.  I guess because we don't have to carry and epi pen I don't see that as needing to be on the front.  

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Singulair- head to toe, front and back rash, increase breathing difficulty. Within several hours.

 

Ritalin- hives and breathing within 20 minutes.

 

Risperdal- hives and drooling within a few hours.

 

Penicillin- rash, breathing, face swelling within a few hours.

 

The tegretol and Zoloft wouldn't have to be listed. Tegretol was increased crazy behavior and sweating. Zoloft was just really pissy and some odd behaviors.

 

So far he's never had a problem with anesthesia or the med they give before surgery (not remembering the name right now!).

[Catwoman]

So far he's allergic to everything sticky; EKG pads, tegaderm, stickers, bandaids, even paper tape but less so.

He's allergic/intolerant to risperdal, Ritalin, tegretol, and Zoloft. His psychiatrist has said to stay away from the entire class for each med.

I'm not sure on singulair if it's ingredient specific. His regular dr didn't know if it would ever be given in the ER (not an emergency med) or if he were admitted for whatever reason.

I'm still wondering if he's allergic to any of these things in an immediate, life-threatening way. If it's not life-threatening or doesn't cause a serious reaction, I don't think it belongs on the bracelet. I'm having a hard time picturing your ds having a fatal reaction to a Band-Aid (and if im mistaken, I apologize!)

 

You want an ER doctor to be able to quickly look at the bracelet and make his or her treatment decisions, not have to wade through a long list of things that aren't going to cause an immediate tragedy. Also, if you put too many non-life-threatening things on the bracelet, a doctor in a hurry might overlook the one or two things that are truly dangerous to your ds.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Most certainly not fatal to bandaids! :) But the rash spreads out very far and he'll have problems with healing.

 

He has less of a problem with paper tape, and I know that's well stocked in the ER. Should also be stocked on an ambulance.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

A lot of stuff is left off the bracelet! It's hard trying to figure out what goes.

 

As for the adhesives- I'm thinking it would be good to know because tape over a wound will start to look like a bad infection, and the rashes (he sometimes gets rashes that border on hives, and others are obviously hives) before infection looking are still nasty. A small-ish wound covered with anything sticky will look terrible and be incredibly painful within a few minutes.

 

It's avoidable by just wrapping with gauze and taping the gauze to itself.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

I'm looking into the USB and/or 2 bracelets.

[Lanny]

IMHO that is way too much information to put onto a braclet and hope to have anyone make sense of it, in the event of an emergency. I wore a Medic Alert braclet, for many years, because I am allergic to Sulfa, and for awhile, had Low Blood Pressure.  Possibly you can get the information you need, onto a USB Memory of some kind, or a chip of some kind, and, if there is ever an emergency, hopefully the provider could find it and use the information.

[Carrie12345]

In a real emergency, the priority is to keep him alive. Let them save his life, then worry about his comfort once you're contacted and get to the hospital.

 

In a real emergency, is there any legitimate fear that they will administer psych drugs???

[Dana]

My son's bracelet has his food allergies on the front and contact phone numbers on the back. The allergies are the ones that are anaphylactic or very severe. I don't say he carries an epi because he'd have administered it already or would have access in an ER. I see the bracelet more as extra help in case of a fatal car accident for the driver or other dreadful situation. I also have heard that they aren't read that often, unfortunately.

 

So I'd have your cell on back and on front, allergic to (and then list the names you mentioned specifically). But do think about how essential the notification is.

[Catwoman]

Have you asked your ds's doctor what he thinks would be important to include on the bracelet? You could make a list of everything you're thinking of including, and let your doctor help you make the final decision. He or she would have a better idea about what you should and shouldn't put on the bracelet.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

In a real emergency, is there any legitimate fear that they will administer psych drugs???

With his behavior I could see it as a possibility, but not sure how likely.

[Kathryn]

Only potentially life-threatening issues belong on the bracelet, not potentially uncomfortable ones. When DS wore a Medic-Alert bracelet, the life-threatening issues were on the bracelet and the other issues were on file with Medic-Alert.

[Whereneverever]

In a real emergency, the priority is to keep him alive. Let them save his life, then worry about his comfort once you're contacted and get to the hospital.

 

In a real emergency, is there any legitimate fear that they will administer psych drugs???

The problem is psych meds is too broad. If he is agitated and hurt, they don't know if that includes Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, ect and it makes it hard to know what is safe to give.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Have you asked your ds's doctor what he thinks would be important to include on the bracelet? You could make a list of everything you're thinking of including, and let your doctor help you make the final decision. He or she would have a better idea about what you should and shouldn't put on the bracelet.

Dr's not too sure! I asked today. Penicillin, adhesive, asthma are absolutes. The others (specifically singulair) she's not sure if it would be used in an ER.

 

I haven't ordered yet, but I changed and am looking at;

 

Front the same.

 

Back; ICE my cell number

Allergic to

Adhesives

Penicillin

[LostSurprise]

In your case, I think the USB is the way to go. 

[Tap]

Name

DOB

contact phone for you

Asthma/allergy

Ana allergy to ?? EPI

 

I would only list allergies that cause a rash, breathing issues or anaphalaxis.

 

Adhesives=rash

 

If you have a nearby hospital that keeps updated patient information, you can also list  "Riverdale Hopital preferred".  He may or may be transported there, but it would increase the likely hood.   Then stop by the hospital periodically and update his medical records there.  

 

 

 

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Only potentially life-threatening issues belong on the bracelet, not potentially uncomfortable ones. When DS wore a Medic-Alert bracelet, the life-threatening issues were on the bracelet and the other issues were on file with Medic-Alert.

I'm not going with medic-alert, so we don't have the backup file this time. I am looking at the USB options.

[StephanieZ]

Being intolerant of certain meds, wanting to stay away from them, isn't something an ER doctor needs to know. He's not going to give him a Zoloft in the ER, lol.

 

So long as there are good contact numbers on the bracelet, you'll be contacted, and you can give all the info.

 

Or, get one of those bracelets that has an 800# where you store all the info you need (and an annual fee)

 

Unless he's had a life-threatening reaction to something, definitely don't include psych meds on anything anyone can easily read -- not cool. 

 

How about "multiple allergies" or something like that, and then list the main stuff (asthma, penicillin), and your phone numbers. If the BACK is really on the back (and not going to get flipped over), then you could list more, but I'd still avoid naming psych anything.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Name

DOB

contact phone for you

 

I would only list allergies that cause a rash, breathing issues or anaphalaxis.

 

Adhesives=rash

 

If you have a nearby hospital that keeps updated patient information, you can also list "Riverdale Hopital preferred". He may or may be transported there, but it would increase the likely hood. Then stop by the hospital periodically and update his medical records there.

He has a ton more that cause rashes! I don't think it would all fit on an adult extra large! Lol.

 

I asked his pharmacist and he jokingly said it would be best to just tattoo his back. He also wasn't sure of certain meds in emergency situations. Also some meds have been stopped at the first sign of reacting (mild spreading rash) so we don't know if higher or more doses would be worse.

[Parrothead]

So far he's allergic to everything sticky; EKG pads, tegaderm, stickers, bandaids, even paper tape but less so.

 

He's allergic/intolerant to risperdal, Ritalin, tegretol, and Zoloft. His psychiatrist has said to stay away from the entire class for each med.

 

I'm not sure on singulair if it's ingredient specific. His regular dr didn't know if it would ever be given in the ER (not an emergency med) or if he were admitted for whatever reason.

You know if he is ever in a severe enough accident they are going to tape his head to a back board. You'll need to find a way to address that. You may need to find another way to immobilize his head if it comes to it.

 

I'd list the class of meds. As in " Alergic to class A, B, D meds." (Or however they classify those drugs.

 

If he is in the ER with an allergic reaction generally they will go for the Benadryl or the epi.

[Catherine]

Singulair- head to toe, front and back rash, increase breathing difficulty. Within several hours.

 

Ritalin- hives and breathing within 20 minutes.

 

Risperdal- hives and drooling within a few hours.

 

Penicillin- rash, breathing, face swelling within a few hours.

 

The tegretol and Zoloft wouldn't have to be listed. Tegretol was increased crazy behavior and sweating. Zoloft was just really pissy and some odd behaviors.

 

So far he's never had a problem with anesthesia or the med they give before surgery (not remembering the name right now!).

Anything that caused hives, IMO, should be listed as an allergy, because the hives imply that an anaphylactic reaction is a possibility with another exposure to the drug.

[sbgrace]

I'd list asthma, ana/epi, and any of the anaphylaxis causing meds. Maybe include adhesive reactions. I'd USB or 800 the more specific information I think.

[MomatHWTK]

I would put the things they need to know to do no harm on the front. 

 

I would probably say:

Front side:

Anaphylaxis to medications

Call before administering any medication

Asthma

 

Back side:

Allergic to all adhesives

[name of pyschological condition]

List specific allergens if room

First Name

 

For instance- for my DS, I make sure that it clear that he is not just allergic to animals- he is anaphylactic.  I also mention his mental condition because in an emergency situation he beahvior is going to be way outside the norm.  I don't want him to be treated incorrectly.  Bottom line is that even in an emergency, a phone call to his doctors or me needs to happen very quickly or things will go very wrong.  KWIM? 

 

[Whereneverever]

Also, consider listing a doc or clinic with a 24 hour response as your emergency contact. If you aren't immediately reachable you want them to still know how to address your son. Our children's hospital we use has a 24 hr emergency line that they can call and get a good treatment plan worked out. Maybe something to look in to.

[Χά�ων]

Being allergic to "psych meds" is meaningless. The actual names of the meds or the class of drugs (such as SSRI) need to be written.

This. DS has a reaction to a blood pressure med commonly used as a psych med. The local children's hospital uses that same medication if a child is not coming out of sedation well. DS doesn't have a life threatening reaction but it isn't pleasant and not something I want him to go through in an already stressful situation.

[Χά�ων]

I wonder this as well. We are over an hour away from the childrens hospital with all his medical records and would have to pass 3-5 hospitals with two being trauma centers to get there. I cannot list all DS medications, there are too many and they change because the doctors are not comfortable with the number he is one but attempts to reduce resulted in him turning blue.

 

Two of DS medications are immunosupressants and if he had to have emergency surgery that is important.

 

Do they not make medic alert tags that are flash drives? A flash drive would hold so much more information and every ambulance I have encountered has multiple computers.

 

Name

DOB

My name and number

Primary doctor name and number or specialists name and number? Office number or cell? The specialist works once day a week. Primary works 5 but is not as knowledgable.

[J-rap]

I haven't read all of the responses, but I think as far as allergies/meds I would only list things he is severely -- meaning could possibly cause death -- allergic to.

 

Then I would make sure to list 2-3 phone numbers so that after stabilizing him in the ER, they would be able to reach someone who could give them additional information. The 2-3 phone numbers that you list should be you, your clinic, and someone else. Make sure that the clinic and the someone else have all the additional information on hand or in their records.

[jenn-]

I think the responses you have been given are sound advice.  I just wanted to chime in and say that I am glad to know I am not the only person that reacts to Singulair that way.  Nothing like reacting to the medicine they give for severe seasonal allergies.

[ocelotmom]

In a real emergency, the priority is to keep him alive. Let them save his life, then worry about his comfort once you're contacted and get to the hospital.

 

In a real emergency, is there any legitimate fear that they will administer psych drugs???

 

Yes, if he's acting in an uncontrollable manner that poses a danger to himself or others or interferes with treatment. The ones he has a known allergy to are unlikely to be given (haldol and ativan are commonly used in emergency situations), but knowing his history might influence whether or not they give a med at all and how closely they observed for a reaction.

[kroe1]

Singulair- head to toe, front and back rash, increase breathing difficulty. Within several hours.

 

Ritalin- hives and breathing within 20 minutes.

 

Risperdal- hives and drooling within a few hours.

 

Penicillin- rash, breathing, face swelling within a few hours.

 

The tegretol and Zoloft wouldn't have to be listed. Tegretol was increased crazy behavior and sweating. Zoloft was just really pissy and some odd behaviors.

 

So far he's never had a problem with anesthesia or the med they give before surgery (not remembering the name right now!).

 

A drug within the drug classes of Singulair, Risperdal, and penicillin could be used in an emergency situation.  I've never heard of an amphetamine given in an emergency.  So if you are limited in room, just put those three on the bracelet.  Name the actual drugs, not the class.  If you have extra room, put adhesives, then if more room put Ritalin.  Sorry, I didn't read the other replies so this may have already been advised.

[magnificent_baby]

Does he need epi pen for asthma attacks? If so, be sure to write severe asthma, this would grab the attention of whomever is reading the bracelet. I would think this info is most important for those reading the bracelet prior to an ambulance arriving, so an epi pen can be administered if necessary. Even if he were to have an allergic reaction to some drug given in ER, he would be in the care of professionals that could give meds to counter act the reaction. Out of his list, antibiotics are the most likely out of all of those to be given in ER, prior to an emergency surgery. The rest can go on the back. By the time he would arrive in ER, you hopefully would be contacted prior to needing any psych meds.  

 

Not sure how much space you have but here is what I would do:

 

First AND last name

Carries Epi Pen for severe asthma 

Allergies: Penicillin and others on back

Two Emergency contact numbers

 

Back:

Also very allergic to: Singulair, Risperidol, Ritalin

 

[amo_mea_filiis.]

Maybe it would be easier to list that he's not allergic to versed! Lol. (Med mentioned aboved that I couldn't remember the name of).

 

I made some calls and found that the singulair would not likely be used in an ER, but risperdal could be a concern. Pharmacist says (with that info) to list antipsychotics vs just risperdal. So his immediate list should be penicillin, antipsychotics, adhesives. Listing "multiple med allergies" will likely (according to calls) tell an ER that they need more info and to proceed carefully.

 

Listing "carries epi" will likely tell medics that he has a bag or something. (ETA: and that his listed allergies are very severe)

 

I'm going to get him the engraved bracelet and decide on USB option for second bracelet or bag tag. His bag is a small backpack and is always with him (when he puts it down to play, he's very good at grabbing it without prompting).

[Guest ab122]

This should be limited to true medical emergencies rather than preferences/intolerances. If medical staff sees allergies to "psych meds", they will possibly discount the whole bracelet. An allergy to a medication is different from not tolerating one. If its truly an allergy-check with primary care physician on this- then put the specific medication or class (penicillin is a class of antibiotics, for example). Also, adhesives is not clear and there is no way he can be treated in an emergency without them. Is this a skin irritation or a life threatening reaction? Is there a specific adhesive or material? Adhesive 'allergies' (skin irritation) are common, but they are not the sort of thing you put on a bracelet because they are not life threatening. Now, if he is truly allergic to latex, you need to simply put latex allergy and this would include any adhesives that include latex. Asking his physician what to include and how is the most helpful thing to do.

 

Keep in mind, even if things are not allergies, you and he can still have treatment preferences which could be put in a living will type document in case you are not able to make medical decisions. 

 

 

Ds has quite a few known allergies and "issues" with meds and other things. His medical bracelet is outdated. I'm looking at American medical ID because they have the most space. I considered medic alert, but decided against it (just in case someone mentions them).

Help me decide what/how/where to put everything. The bracelet can be engraved on front and back. Different characters per line is why I listed the way I did.

Front

First Name
Asthma
Carries epi
Multiple med(?)
Allergies

Back

Allergic to
Adhesives
Penicillin
Psych meds
Singulair

What are the chances that an ER would even give singulair? Replace "singulair" with "more" or "others"? What about antipsychotics in an emergency? Will the medics/ER flip the bracelet to get more info?

I could put "see back" on the front, but I wouldn't want anyone to think that he "only" has problems with the meds listed, and that takes space. I thought "multiple med allergies" or "multiple allergies" could leave it open ended enough and the worst are listed on the back.

Most likely, I'll be available in an emergency and the bracelet could help remind me of some things. However, I also want to think of worst case. What if he's with his father who would never call me (this is very unlikely because he rarely sees him!)? What if we're in an accident and I'm unconscious?

He's allergic to or intolerant to 4(?) psych meds, all different classes, one a seizure med/mood stabilizer, so I can't include all those names or anything. Will medical professionals recognize "psych" as psychiatric? I don't see why not, but when we used medicalert, they were very specific about things never being abbreviated.

It's important that medics and er know of adhesive allergy because the resulting rashes are very strange and not always localized. Of course it's extremely painful as well.

In his emergency bag, there's a card with everything needed and phone numbers, but what if that somehow doesn't make it to the hospital?

Any other ideas?

 

[Guest ab122]

I think "call before administering medication" is not really reasonable...what if they can't reach you? Then they have to administer medication anyway and don't have the specific information. Thats why its important to limit the bracelet to the life threatening reactions and be as specific as necessary- classes of drugs if appropriate (sulfa, penicillin) or individual drugs using the generic name. If you don't have a medical background, I'm not sure its possible to do this on your own. Ask their doctor. If you are talking about life threatening reactions, its too important not to. Also, they will know abbreviations that will help fit more information on the bracelet as necessary. 

 

 

I would put the things they need to know to do no harm on the front. 

 

I would probably say:

Front side:

Anaphylaxis to medications

Call before administering any medication

Asthma

 

Back side:

Allergic to all adhesives

[name of pyschological condition]

List specific allergens if room

First Name

 

For instance- for my DS, I make sure that it clear that he is not just allergic to animals- he is anaphylactic.  I also mention his mental condition because in an emergency situation he beahvior is going to be way outside the norm.  I don't want him to be treated incorrectly.  Bottom line is that even in an emergency, a phone call to his doctors or me needs to happen very quickly or things will go very wrong.  KWIM? 

 

[Laurie4b]

Is there not room to put them all on there? Is it one word per line or something? It seems like they are all important. Just because an allergic reaction wasn't life-threatening (hives for instance) doesn't mean it won't be the next time.