Medical ID FAQ

Medical identification tags, or medical ID tags in short, are small emblems carrying a short message about the wearer’s medical condition. Their sole purpose is to inform first responders (paramedics, physicians, emergency medical services and the like) about important symptoms in cases where the patient is unconscious, unable to talk or make sense.

Medical ID tags come in many shapes and forms. They are usually worn as bracelets crafted from stainless steel or sterling silver, but alternate versions include neck chains, wallet cards and even USB drives. The medical ID tag is highly customizable: nowadays the wearable tags easily pass as colorful or stylish jewelry, so the wearers don’t feel embarrassed about them. As for the message, it usually mentions the name of the patient and draws attention to their medical condition. Since the manufacturers can engrave anything on the bracelet, there is hardly any limit on their usage. The most commonly featured conditions are dementia, epilepsy, hemophilia, medicine allergy or certain seizures. It’s also worth noting on the tag whether the patient has a pacemaker or other implant.

Medical ID tags benefit the user in several ways. If they collapse on the street, the bracelet or neck chain will draw the attention of anyone nearby that may intend to call the ambulance. After a quick glance at the jewelry, they’ll be able to tell the dispatcher the wearer’s name and any vital medical history, meaning the paramedics will arrive well-prepared. As you can see, informative medical alert bracelets eliminate the need to search for the patient’s wallet or personal documents.

It’s important to bear in mind that you don’t cram too much information onto a single ID tag. The medical condition should be the center of attention, along with the person’s name and blood type, and the name and number of a contact person such as a caregiver or close family member. In case the person in question owns a vial of life or medical alert system, then make a brief mention of them too. Some users prefer to have personalized USB drives as ID tags, carrying around an extensive document of their medical history and contact information, but during an emergency there is little to no time to find a computer and plug the USB drive in.

When ordering a medical ID tag, you get to choose which information should be engraved on the accessory. There are two mistakes people make in this situation: they either fail to deliver any information other than the medical condition, or completely litter the tag with unnecessary details. The key factor is visibility: all the relevant data should be written with large letters. Cramming too much information into a small place will defeat the whole purpose of the medical ID tag.

• First and foremost, you need to include all the medical conditions that are relevant during an emergency and may have a potential risk on your life when mistreated. Because the remaining space is limited, word the other details clearly and shortly.
• Featuring the patient’s name depends on personal preference, though having at least the first name on the tag is highly recommended.
• The name and phone number of a contact person (caregiver, friend, family member) should be present.
• The patient’s blood type and implants (most notably the pacemaker) are also popular choices to have engraved.
• In cases where the person is an organ donor or is difficult to incubate, it is recommended that you mention these as well.
• Interestingly, some people even mention their living will on their medical ID tag, or just instruct the reader to check their wallet card for further information.

And a last bit of advice: wearing a medical ID tag alongside a medical alert button is mutually beneficial, since the ID tag can inform first responders to push the button to call for more professional assistance. Doing so alarms the monitoring agent, who has the patient’s extended medical history on file and is therefore able to provide further information.

When dealing with medical ID tags, ordering is one of the easier tasks. There are medical accessory providers who specialize in manufacturing a wide range of ID bracelets or necklaces, but several jewelry stores also sell personalized ID tags. In most cases, there is a huge catalog of medical ID jewelry: some of them are made of silicone and are waterproof, while others are crafted from stainless steel, sterling silver or other premium materials. After selecting the accessory, you’ll be asked to type in the message that will be featured on the tag. It’s worth remembering that the engraved words might fade and become unreadable over time. The best way to avoid this is to write the important information on the backside of the tag.

We highly recommend purchasing your medical ID tag from a trustworthy source. The following three outlets all guarantee quality products.

American Medical ID

American Medical ID is one of the main sources of wearable ID tags. Specialized in custom engraved medical ID tags since 1994, American Medical ID is where you’ll find stylish jewelry for men, women and even kids, all of which are designed with a real sense of fashion. Other than silicone, silver and steel, some ID tags are attached to leather bands, gold chains or even glass pearls. And if you really wish to have a one of a kind item, they even allow you to build a custom ID bracelet by hand picking the chain, clasp and charm type. In addition to the typical products, American Medical ID also sells USB drives, keychains and other accessories.

Lauren’s Hope

Lauren’s Hope is a medical ID manufacturer who heavily emphasizes customization. They were the ones who introduced the idea of interchangeable medical ID bracelets, allowing people to change the band to suit their mood. Thus you can choose from several colorful tags and match them with an equally diverse range of armbands. Lauren’s Hope created separate categories for men, women and kids, offering styles for all genders and ages groups. Of course, if you prefer the classic medical ID jewelry, then feel free to pick one of those as well.

Amazon

If you are looking for quantity and a huge variety of accessories, then Amazon is the most suitable option for you. Unlike the other two sites, Amazon offers items from several medical ID manufacturers, providing a greater sense of freedom of choice than the others. There are simple silicone bands for the budget conscious customers, or expensive jewelry crafted from high materials. You are also presented with several types of keychain tags and wallet cards. When ordering your medical ID tag from Amazon, just write the medical condition and additional details in the custom field and it will be engraved on the tag.

To put it quite bluntly, everyone who has a medical condition that might put them in grave danger if mistreated should wear a medical ID tag. These accessories are capable of quickly informing emergency personnel about key details of the wearer’s condition. The tag is customizable in numerous ways, and doesn’t restrict the wearer in any way. Since we are talking about lightweight jewelry usually made of steel, silver or plastic, they can be worn by literally anyone; kids, adults and elders alike. The bracelet or necklace can be also fitted with a colorful or stylish design to make it more attractive.

Medical ID tags are especially recommended for people living with medical conditions that emergency personnel should be immediately made aware of in case of an emergency. Aside from this, allergies to food and drugs are also important for emergency services to be made aware of. Below is a non-exhaustive list of medical conditions for which wearing a medical alert ID is recommended:

• Anemia
• Alzheimer’s
• Asthma/COPD
• Breathing disorder
• Cancer
• Cardiac problems: Patients with a pacemaker, or ICD implant
• Cataracts
• Diabetes
• Disability
• Epilepsy
• Hearing sight
• Hypertension
• Kidney failure
• Mental impairment
• Rare diseases
• Stroke risk
• Tourettes syndrome

Of course, this is just a skimmed down list, and many other medical conditions and allergies can be featured on the medical ID tag.

As a rule of thumb: if you have a medical condition that you would certainly tell the first response professionals then it’s absolutely worth putting on the ID tag.