Importance of emergency identification schemes

Abstract

Background: Millions of people worldwide may have a hidden medical condition that could endanger their life in an emergency. These conditions may include cardiac conditions, severe allergies, or diabetes. Emergency identification schemes such as Medic Alert produce emblems that alert health care professionals to potential problems and can ensure appropriate and prompt treatment. This paper uses mechanical failure of the Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (BSCC) heart valve as an example of a hidden medical condition. These patients have been encouraged to carry information to alert staff in an emergency that they have a BSCC patient in their care and to be alert to the signs and symptoms of acute valve malfunction. Objective: To establish awareness and credibility of emergency identification schemes among emergency personnel and to assess if information on specific medical conditions would influence ambulance personnel regarding destination hospitals. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to senior staff (n=380) of accident and emergency (A&E) departments and operational directors of ambulance headquarters (n=39) throughout the United Kingdom. Hospitals were divided into regional divisions to assess differences in responses across regions. Results: The majority of respondents (99%) had heard of emergency identification schemes and felt that it was important for patients with special conditions to carry some form of identification. Nearly all ambulance respondents (97%) indicated it was routine to search for body worn emblems in contrast with only 71% of A & E staff. However, more than half of ambulance respondents (53.9%) stated information on emblems/cards would not influence their choice of destination hospital. Conclusions: The importance of how information on pre-existing medical conditions can influence care, is highlighted by the BSCC valve issue, where immediate diagnosis is essential for patient survival. It is vital that all staff routinely search patients for this information and if necessary act upon the information provided."More mistakes are made by not looking than by not knowing". 1It is thought that millions of people worldwide have a hidden medical condition that could endanger their life in an emergency. If these conditions are unknown to attending emergency personnel and the patient is unable to communicate, mistakes may be made in accurately treating the patients and appropriate treatment delayed, on rare occasions with tragic consequences. These hidden conditions may include, severe allergies to certain medications, diabetes, and the presence of implanted prosthetic heart valves.Emergency identification schemes such as Medic Alert and SOS have been in existence for over 40 years. These non-profit making charities produce body worn emblems (fig 1) and laminated wallet style cards (Medic Alert only) that alert health care professionals to potential problems and can ensure appropriate and prompt treatment.One example of a hidden medical condition is the presence of a Björk-Shiley convexo-concave (BSCC) h...

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