At a recent meeting of the Union County Ostomy Support Group I mentioned that one of the first things I did upon becoming an ostomate was to order a medical alert bracelet. This is because one of the members of our group had shared that he was hit by a car and his pouch exploded, causing the EMT’s to assume his abdomen had been punctured in some way. They spent a long time searching for the affected area before loading him onto a gurney and transporting him to the hospital, where, thank goodness, it was determined he had not been injured internally. But my takeaway was that there was a lot of wasted time that may have been critical to his survival. The pieces of the puzzle led me to a way to let EMT’s know I have an ileostomy.
Wearing a medical bracelet or necklace is far more effective than carrying a card in one’s wallet or handbag, or counting on another to provide imperative information. If there is an accident, one may be thrown from a car and their wallet or handbag may not be found, or one may be alone at the time. My feeling is to let everyone know anything that can save time and resources in providing necessary care. Additionally, when there is an accident or incident, there is a strong chance that shock will prevent us from being able to identify imperative information.
Wear your bracelet on your left wrist, according to EMT’s with whom I have spoken. This is because the first thing done for someone in a crisis is to assess by feeling for a pulse on left wrist. I also recommend a bracelet or necklace with the medal showing a red medical icon, which immediately tells first responders it is a guideline to the patient’s health and identification.
Anyone with a medical issue would benefit from wearing a medical alert identifier. Heart, Diabetes, seizure issues, crippling migraines, prosthesis all come to mind. There are several companies online, so have fun looking for one that features your style. A friend went to a jeweler who designed a bracelet for her, and it was great. If you decide to do so, just remember not to make the bracelet or necklace too blingy…it has a mission, and that is to help in an emergency, so be sure that becomes the primary design!
We are all responsible for our body and its health and stability. This, in my opinion, is one more step in so doing. A simple, and perhaps attractive way to feel secure that we are communicating even if we are unable to say a word!
Definitely going to do that Ellyn-I appreciate the input and seems as if that is something that really needs to be done.
Great article. I’ve been wondering about this. Thanks for your information