May is ‘MedicAlert® Awareness’ Month
Copycat bracelets may put lives at risk
Toronto, May 1, 2006 – As part of its May month initiatives, MedicAlert is encouraging all Canadians to speak with their doctors or pharmacists to learn how MedicAlert can help protect you in a medical emergency.
“In medical emergencies, first responders often have seconds to diagnose and treat their patients,” said Martin Kabat, President and CEO of the Canadian MedicAlert® Foundation. “This is especially a concern for people with specific medical conditions, conditions that must be recognized before treatment begins. Fortunately even if a patient is disoriented or unable to speak, emergency service personnel have been trained to look for MedicAlert identification in order to provide the information needed for timely and safe treatment.”
MedicAlert is also warning Canadians about the limitations of other “medical” bracelets available for sale on the Web or in retail stores. “These bracelets are not authentic MedicAlert bracelets,” explained Ileana Ciurea, Chief Medical Officer at MedicAlert. “True MedicAlert bracelets can only be obtained through membership and these copycat bracelets do not provide comprehensive protection.”
Each MedicAlert member record includes a list of chronic conditions, current medications, details on implanted devices, special needs or allergies. Furthermore, MedicAlert has a thorough training program for its customer service representatives to ensure the highest standards of quality and accuracy are applied to information recorded on bracelets and member records.
The look-alike products can provide serious health and safety concerns. Some concerns include: the accuracy of the data where spelling or abbreviated words can cause confusion; outdated information; no 24-hour telephone access; no database for healthcare providers; no worldwide access or translation services and no emergency responder education programs.
In an emergency, only MedicAlert works to ensure healthcare providers have access to a member’s medical information through the MedicAlert 24-hour Emergency Hotline. Along with this medical information, MedicAlert also provides the names and telephone numbers of the member’s doctor and family contacts. All of this information is important for emergency responders and other medical professionals when they provide care.
“We receive at least one call per day from the general public about look-alike bracelets and, many people are quite surprised and disappointed when they realize that they have made a mistake,” said Kabat. “Our objective is to make certain that the public is aware of the differences and understands the true value of MedicAlert membership.
MedicAlert offers a comprehensive membership that includes a bracelet or necklace custom engraved with personalized medical information, member ID number and a 24-hour emergency hotline number. For additional protection, members also receive a wallet card that lists medications and contact information. Members can also update their personal information online through a secure Web interface called My MedicAlert.
This year marks 45 years of protecting the lives of MedicAlert members. There are currently more than one million Canadians who rely on MedicAlert every single day. MedicAlert services are also recognized by the Canadian healthcare community. The Canadian MedicAlert Foundation is endorsed by CAEP (Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians) and NENA (National Emergency Nurses’ Affiliation), and works in partnership with a Canadian-wide network of health organizations, hospitals, pharmacies, doctors’ offices, medical clinics, and public health centres.
For more information, please contact Robert Blair, Marketing Manager at (416) 696-0142 ext. 1251.
