Medical Identification Accessories
A medical identification or medical alert accessory can be a life saver in an emergency. It can provide critical information to a person assisting a child or adult who may not be able to communicate their condition or needs. If you or a loved one has a severe allergy, medical condition, disability or special need, adding a medical identification accessory to your daily outfit can alert emergency or medical professionals before they provide care. In this guide you will find more information about who may need to wear or carry some form of medical identification or alert, and the variety of accessories that are available for those who do.
What is a Medical Identification Accessory and Who Needs One?
A medical identification accessory is any item that can be carried or worn by a person, that alerts medical professionals of a special need or condition they have. The most common items are bracelets and wallet cards, but other accessories include car seat straps for infants and children, slide-on attachments for smart watches, necklaces, keychains, stickers, and phone cases. As technology has evolved there are even bands with QR codes that link to an app like this one where detailed medical information can be stored.
Any child or adult who takes prescription medication, has an allergy, medical condition, or special need should consider getting a medical identification accessory, but they aren’t just for people with severe food allergies or life-threatening health conditions. This communication tool is for anyone and everyone who wants a little extra safety and reassurance in their everyday life.
In 2020, an organization called Lauren’s Hope conducted an independent survey of 100 EMTs, paramedics, ER doctors, and other front-line medical care providers on the usefulness of medical identification accessories in emergency situations. A summary of their findings is available here. The results of the survey show the appreciation that emergency professionals have for this important tool.
How do Medical Identification Accessories Work and What Information Should I Include?
The way a medical identification accessory works depends on the type of accessory you choose. For common allergies or conditions you can find a variety of pre-printed items. If your condition is not common you will want to find a tool that you can customize or that directs an emergency service professional on where to find more information about your needs. Learn more about how medical identification accessories work with this resource.
Medical conditions, allergies, emergency contact information, and the medications that you take are all good pieces of information to include on your accessory. Other important information, such as how to contact your personal doctor or any other special medical instructions may also be beneficial to add.
This resource outlines what information emergency personnel look for on medical identification accessories.
This article outlines helpful information to include on your medical identification accessory.
This resource provides tips on what to consider when selecting who to identify as an emergency contact.
How do I find the Medical Identification Accessory that’s right for me?
There are many different products available on the market today to meet your medical and fashion needs. Some accessory shopping resources include the following:
When it comes to deciding which medical identification brand/ accessory is right for your family, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. This article outlines some common misconceptions about medical identification accessories to help you make the right decision on which type is best for you, and this resource outlines some of the most common questions (and answers) asked about the different types of medical identification accessories that are available. Other questions to consider include:
Who is it for? Consider things such as durability and comfort when purchasing your preferred accessory, especially if it’s for active individuals, children, or someone with special needs or sensory challenges.
How much information do you plan to include? Do you have a lot of information that will need to be shared with a doctor prior to treatment, or will a simple alert be sufficient? This will help you to determine if a tool with app integration will be best.
What style do you prefer? Do you like to wear jewelry every day or would something like a phone case that can be carried with you be more practical for you? Do you already have a favorite bracelet that you wear everyday? Considering purchasing a charm to add on to it.
This guide and the resources listed are not meant to replace consultation with medical professionals, diagnose a medical condition, or promote any one product or brand over the others. Please reach out to a professional for advice and assistance when deciding which medical identification accessory is best for you or your family.
Contributed by: Emily Gambino-Walker, a graduate student pursuing her Master of Science in Psychology and a member of the Red Shoe Society at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown.