Very Necessary ID Card

This was on a recent episode of Dr. Phil. I think it's an excellent idea, but I'm wondering where the best place would be to store it. I've got a Spec Ops wallet with an ID holder on the outside of it where my DL rides. I'm asked to show that a lot more than I would ever need a medical info card, but I want to be sure it's seen if needed.

I remember in a thread a while back about "ICE" some of the medical pros here said that if someone is unconscious they aren't necessarily interested in specific medical history (med allergies, blood type etc.). I realize this next statement makes absolutely no sense but here it goes: Several years ago I had a failed intubation that resulted in an infection that was almost fatal. It was suggested that I get a Med Alert tag stating "History of Traumatic Intubation", but I never have. I would be concerned that if I were unconscious that the people treating me know this fact, and therefore I would want the Very Necessary ID card to be found.

Of course, if the option was between death and possible failed intubation...well, I was close to death once, and I didn't much care for it.

The other question is that this card is recommended for children at school and since my oldest is going off to school in the fall, I'm wondering what a logical place to carry it for kids would be.

Ideas?

Laminate it and wear it around your neck? Wouldn't that be the first place paramedics (etc) would look?

Sue

Ors, why not do what was recommended to you. Get a MedicAlert neck tag or bracelet for your Hx. of Traumatic Intubation. You don't need to go through THAT again!

As for the Medical History card, I still feel that in an emergency it is NOT likely that paramedics will search your wallet. That being said, any good physician one is using (i.e., someone who has your records) would be glad to write down the elements of your history that he/she feels are critical to emergency care. Most probably this will relate to alergies, stents, implanted devices, and perhaps other medical conditions. Don't inflate the list by guessing what is really important to an emergency care provider... ask your doctor. Then, why not type/write it on rite-in-the-rain paper and laminate it in a wallet size RED BORDERED card. I personally would absolutely not use the "service" offered in the link to create a card. I see no need for it, and I see potential risks in it.

EMT's and paramedics will NOT check your wallet at the scene of an incident. They are careful to protect the privite property of a patient from a legal and ethical standpoint. We are trained to check for a Medalert bracelet or necklace. Eventually the hospital staff may check a wallet for ID or a contact for an unconscious patient, but probably only after treatment.
If blood is required, the treatment facility will always type and crossmatch, no matter what a card or tag indicates.

"There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action."

Unless you have a med alert tag braclet or neck chain there is a slim chance I will be going thru your wallet. Most likely I will throw your wallet to a cop and by the time he gets to your data you will be intubated with IV in place with first set of drugs running thru.

But this is what I'm curious about... What would you like EMS to do in the field for you? I know you said you dont care for death but still mate. HX of traumatic intubation even if known wouldnt stop me from tubing you. I will be more careful and go with a smaller tube but still if I need an airway you getting one.

I think that you are taking the "ICE" thread out of context. What matters in case #1 isn't the same for case #2. Normally any info is good info. But it has to be where we can see it. I like the card around the neck and ID braclets are good. I agree with Polak in that if I need an airway you are getting on. Things I would include on a card.
1. Name
2. Meds
3. Major problems(his. of mi, tram. intubation, etc.)

Just my .02

Potential risks? Would you elaborate?

So I'm thinking that it would be in my best interests to get a medic alert tag. I was looking for a titanium tag, and only found one site that offers them. Anyone know a source?

medicalert.org

Don't be so picky about the Ti. Stainless works, and from talking with people I know about this issue, if it isn't a MedicAlert or red dog tag, they aren't going to trust it.

That was after I had proposed the idea of having my allergies tattooed over my collar bone. I don't have to worry about getting a 'cane in the field, but if I'm out and the docs decide to inject something like peniciline, which is often mixed with procane (like novacane, only lighter, penicilline without burns), I'd rather not have them be suprised when I go into anaphelactic shock.

Potential security issues:

1) You are going to be asked authorize Very Necessary Medical ID to gather information about you, including "current medical conditions, doctors treating you, any drug or food allergies, and more about your personal medical history including insurance carrier, etc.etc.etc..."
2) They will "Link to a secure and confidential database where your health care provider can access all your medical records.....etc.etc."

I have some experience with the issues regarding medical records, the electronic privacy act, and HIPAA. I think the protections under those statutes are insufficient, and I doubt that the cited company is even a "covered entity".
Therefore, I have little trust for their "secure and confidential" database. If you want me to drone on and on about the potential abuses of others' access to your data, that can be another thread.

My point: anything of significance... you can obtain and you can be the "custodian" without putting this all together and risking it being hacked. MedicAlert is sufficient.

Don't be picky about Ti? Can't I have any fun? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

They have Ti, it's just the pretty gold finished stuff. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

In all honesty, I think that while titanium is a wonderful material, in most cases, stainless or a good aluminum alloy works just as well unless you are talking aerospace or submarines, or the coating of drill bits and the like. Personal opinion.

We may not have to wait long for Ti to become much more commonplace. http://www.techreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16963&ch=nanotech

I have never really understood the need for this tag. If you need an airway, you need it right now. Knowing you're hard to tube is just going to stress the EMT or ER doc. Ignorance is bliss. I would rather find out you are a difficult airway after I have an ET tube in you. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />