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The MedicAlert Foundation -

The MedicAlert Foundation was founded in 1956 in Turlock, California.

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Origins of MedicAlert -

The non-profit organization was established after teenager Linda Collins Maurer cut her finger and was taken to hospital. She received a tetanus antitoxin scratch test but proved to be allergic to it and went into anaphylactic shock, which was almost fatal.

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Rod of Asclepius -

The medical emergency inspired the youngster to approach her father, who was a doctor, and ask him to design a silver bracelet for her. On one side was the Rod of Asclepius within the Star of Life, a symbol used to identify emergency medical services.

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Vital information -

The other side was inscribed with all the information about her allergies: she could not tolerate aspirin, sulfa drugs, and a type of tetanus antitoxin—the one that nearly killed her.

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Medical ID bracelet -

Linda's parents, realizing there was a need for emergency access to medical records of numerous people like their daughter who had potentially life-threatening health conditions, went on to create what became known as the MedicAlert Foundation. Linda's mimicked piece of jewelry was the the first-ever MedicAlert bracelet.

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How does it work? -

The medical ID can be worn as a distinctive metal bracelet or necklace tag that is custom engraved with your vital medical information. If you experience a medical emergency or are in an accident, a medical ID will speak for you when you cannot.

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Seeking out information -

First responders are trained to look for medical ID bracelets and necklaces. Medical IDs can also be worn as shoe tags or as wallet cards.

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Alerting the professionals -

A medical ID can help emergency medial services, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other emergency professionals treat you by alerting them to medical conditions, medication allergies, etc., that might otherwise be overlooked.

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Keeping informed -

When first responders identify a MedicAlert ID, they will turn the ID over or scan the QR code to quickly read your vital medical information.

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Making the call -

Medical personnel can then call a hotline for a more detailed rundown of medical information on the wearer.

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Emergency response -

Armed with this vital data, emergency response teams and healthcare providers can review the wearer's conditions and allergies so that they receive fast, accurate care. This greatly reduces the possibility of making medical errors that could be fatal.

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Who benefits? -

Those who benefit the most from wearing a medical ID include anybody who has communication difficulties, such as hearing or speaking issues, or those with cognitive disorders that impair one's ability to express oneself, such as those experienced by people living with dementia.

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People living with chronic health conditions -

Likewise, people living with developmental disabilities or neurological or psychological conditions that can make communication difficult can also benefit from wearing a medical ID.

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Recommended use -

A medical ID bracelet, necklace, or shoe tag can be custom engraved with any medical condition. In the United States, physician and health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Epilepsy Foundation, and the American Diabetes Association recommend the use of medical IDs.

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Case studies -

A medical ID can help first responders differentiate the cause of seizure, for example. Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure, notes Johns Hopkins Medicine. This includes a high fever, high or low blood sugar, alcohol or drug withdrawal, or a brain concussion. But when a person has two or more seizures with no known cause, this is diagnosed as epilepsy. A quick glance at a medical ID worn by an epileptic can confirm a diagnosis.

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Diabetes -

Similarly, diabetic hypoglycemia can be diagnosed quickly and effectively if a medical ID recognizes the wearer as being diabetic.

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Alzheimer's disease -

As previously outlined, medical disorders that affect means of verbal communication, conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, can be easily distinguished when engraved on a medical ID.

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Hemophilia -

How would you know for sure if someone was a hemophiliac?  Symptoms of hemophilia include large, deep bruising and excessive bleeding from cuts or injuries, or after surgery. By reading a medical ID tag worn by a hemophiliac, a surgeon would be aware beforehand of the extra risks involved in operating on a road traffic victim for example, or a person suffering from a gunshot wound.

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Other medical and neurological disorders -

Multiple sclerosis, a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, or spinal cord injury itself, are among the chronic medical and neurological disorders for which a medical ID is recommended. Stroke, substance abuse disorders, and Parkinson's can also be identified by wearing a MedicAlert tag.

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Pacemaker -

A medical ID is useful when ascertaining whether a patient is wearing a medical device or implant, artificial heart valves, for example, or a pacemaker. 

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Allergies -

And, of course, a medical ID serves as advanced notification of anyone at risk from anaphylactic shock due to allergies, including food allergies (peanuts, shellfish etc.), and penicillin and other antibiotic allergies.

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United Kingdom MedicAlert affiliate -

MedicAlert has international affiliates in nine countries. In the UK, the non-profit organization is registered at Soulbury in Buckinghamshire.

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Australia MedicAlert affiliate -

The MedicAlert Foundation in Australia is based in Norwood, a suburb of Adelaide, in South Australia. MedicaAlert has had a presence in the country for over 50 years.

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New Zealand MedicAlert affiliate -

Wellington on North Island is the location of MedicAlert's New Zealand affiliate.

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Canadian MedicAlert affiliate -

MedicAlert's Canadian affiliate is based in Toronto, where it also enjoys a long association with the local community.

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Iceland MedicAlert affiliate -

MedicaAlert serves Iceland out of Kópavogur, a small town south of Reykjavík.

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Cyprus MedicAlert affiliate -

MedicAlert in Cyprus functions as the island's medical data bank for first responders and operates out of Nicosia.

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Maylasia MedicAlert affiliate -

Yayasan MedicAlert, Malaysia (the MedicAlert Foundation affiliate in Malaysia) has offices in Pataling Yaya, in the Greater Kuala Lumpur area.

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South Africa MedicAlert affiliate -

The MedicAlert Foundation in Southern Africa is represented by its affiliate in Cape Town.

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Zimbabwe MedicAlert affiliate -

Harare in Zimbabwe is where MedicAlert's second African affiliate is based.

Sources: (MedicAlert) (Los Angeles Times) (Johns Hopkins Medicine) (Mayo Clinic) 

See also: The most painful injuries and conditions humans can experience

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