MedicAlert In Action Survey

Online, November 6, 2012 (Newswire.com) - A recent survey of healthcare professionals including GPs, emergency services and those in specialist medical care conducted by MedicAlert UK, confirms that healthcare professionals believe that wearing an identification emblem can assist them in an emergency by;

• Increasing the speed of diagnosis - 83%
• Facilitating better quality of care for patients - 75%
• Providing next of kin/contact details - 58%
• Gaining quick access to immediate medical conditions - 50%

Medical identification jewellery varies widely in the amount of information provided and its accuracy. How this information is collected and verified and whether any additional information is stored are vital factors in the success of an emblem in an emergency situation. MedicAlert emergency medical identification provides all of the benefits highlighted in the survey and is a trusted brand amongst healthcare professionals.

MedicAlert is a global charity that provides medical ID jewellery for people with hidden medical conditions or allergies. Situated on pulse points, it displays the international medical symbol to quickly identify a condition and speed up treatment in an emergency.

MedicAlert members benefit from peace of mind that goes far beyond their bracelet/necklace. Their conditions are reviewed by medically trained staff, who prioritise the text on each piece of jewellery. A detailed medical record is also held on a secure database, which can be accessed 24/7 by emergency responders.

David Ball, an anaesthetist specialising in difficult airways, has witnessed MedicAlert assisting healthcare professionals in critical situations on a number of occasions. He recalled one situation of emergency treatment in A&E where a patient was unconscious and wearing the MedicAlert emblem on their wrist. The information on the emblem identified a specific antibiotic allergy, allowing medical staff to treat the patient in a quick and efficient manner with no impact on the patient's allergies. David believes that MedicAlert assists healthcare professionals by "Improving safety when it really counts".

Another healthcare professional surveyed stated "Hours is too late, minutes matter but seconds really count in life threatening situations".

Make sure your colleagues know how medical identification jewellery can benefit patient care. To find out what awareness training and resources MedicAlert provides for healthcare professionals visit http://www.medicalert.org.uk/hcp.

Source: The MedicAlert Foundation, visit http://www.medicalert.org.uk