MedicAlert Foundation Canada

Canadian MedicAlert Foundation

Our relationship as Doctor and Patient is a strange one. The less we meet … the happier I am

If you or a loved one are coping with Home Parenteral Enteral Nutrition then there may, occasionally, be times when you need urgent medical attention outside of normal hours. One of the main causes of concern is infection but there may be other problems including hyperglycemia or thrombosis. Medicalert devices can be life saving in such situations.

MedicAlert Devices in an Emergency

When an emergency occur time is of the essence. There is no room for delay, uncertainty or error. The accuracy of the medical information provided in an emergency is critical.

This is where the MedicAlert Foundation has built universal recognition. Whenever emergency medical personnel see the MedicAlert safety device they know that important information regarding the individual’s medical conditions is immediately available.

I just bought a Medicalert bracelet that says, ‘probably just inebriated.’

You’re so naughty Moose. It’s a very valuable device to have to alert all professionals to your medical condition and treatment.

Naughty, you say? Better send for Mr Grey.

History of the MedicAlert Foundation

The concept of MedicAlert© began with Dr. Marion and Chrissie Collins after their daughter Linda had an allergic reaction to tetanus antitoxin which sent her into a coma in 1953.

They realized that Linda needed to wear an alert message on her body at all times to prevent her from ever receiving a tetanus shot again, or she would likely die. It was only a small leap to extend this to others all over the world with similar issues.

Conditions warranting MedicAlert

In the following years, the non-profit foundation MedicAlert© has grown to ensure that it alerts front line medial staff to:-

Severe allergies: If these patient were given, for example, a tetanus or penicillin shot at the scene of the accident this could prove fatal.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions: If an unconscious person is diabetic or has a history of heart disease, for example, instantly having this information speeds up diagnosis and treatment and could mean the difference between life and death.
Adverse Medication Reactions: If a patient in an emergency situation is taking any medications, it is essential that the medical team are aware of this at the scene. If a patient was bleeding heavily, for example, and takes Warfarin this information is essential for the team to know.
Simple Identification: The quicker that medics can identify John or Jane Doe the sooner they can call relatives and share information.

Who exactly is John Doe?

John or Jane Doe are names used until the real identity of a patient can be found.

How do you think that came about? Somebody said, ‘We’ll call him John …Doh … and then it was like. Okay, John Doe it is!’

Services

MedicAlert© is a 24-hour Emergency Response Center, that supplies accurate medical information anywhere, anytime, to first-response medical personnel. This is often vital information that assists in a correct and quick diagnosis and appropriate medical treatment.

When a medical emergency happens, a MedicAlert© member is instantly identifiable by the emblem on a bracelet or pendant. Emergency medical personnel simply call the MedicAlert© 24-hour Emergency Response Center for key medical information.

Emergency personnel are always answered by a live operator and never put on hold. There are also interpreters available with a choice of 140 different languages. Once a call is received from emergency personnel, and verified to safeguard a member’s privacy and confidentiality, emergency medical information such as currently prescribed medications, allergies, and chronic medical conditions as well as physician, family contact, health plan information and any special end-of-life directives are quickly and accurately transmitted.

I have an allergy, I was advised to have ‘Allergic to Penicillin’ tattooed on my bum!

What happens if they gave you the penicillin shot IV or somewhere else then?

She’d be the butt of a few jokes!

What else does MedicAlert do?

MedicAlert© also contacts the member’s physician and family members to relay information regarding the emergency and to which hospital the member is at. In essence, MedicAlert© speaks for members when they cannot speak for themselves.

There is a charge for the identification bracelet or pendant (together with a wallet card), currently $35 (CND), plus tax and shipping, for standard stainless steel. In addition, there is a range of metals available with corresponding costs.

Your personal records are maintained, including an annual confirmation and update reminders. After your first bracelet/pendent the only future cost would be if you need a new bracelet/pendent because of updated engraved information, wear, or simply want a change of style.

Style comes in all shapes and sizes. Therefore the bigger you are, the more style you have!

For Information or Membership Contact:

Telephone: (416) 696-2676, (800)668-1507
Fax: (800) 392-8422

Web Site: www.medicalert.ca
E-mail: medinfo@medicalert.ca

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