In an emergency, a little piece of jewelry can make a big difference. A medical ID bracelet is essential for many people living with rare disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and special medical needs. It holds key medical information about the wearer that can be lifesaving in emergency health situations.
How important is a medical ID bracelet in DMD?
When a medical crisis or accident occurs away from family or well-informed friends, a medical ID bracelet can hold the answers to questions about medical history, health conditions, allergies and medication.
First responders, school nurses and other healthcare professionals who have little experience with DMD will rely on a medical ID bracelet to guide them in making important time-sensitive decisions around treatment and medication. It will help prevent mistakes that could be life-threatening.
Learn more about DMD treatment and care
What do medical IDs look like?
Traditionally, medical ID bracelets were made from silver or gold and had utilitarian designs. Thankfully, times have changed. They can now be ordered in many materials, including stainless steel, silicone, fabric, and leather. Medical jewelry can be customized with special kid-friendly designs, adjustable sizes, easy fasteners and QR codes linked to more detailed medical information. Some medical alert bracelets even resemble fine jewelry. Options exist for necklaces and anklets, as well as the more common wrist bracelets.
What information is listed on a Duchenne medical alert bracelet?
In Duchenne, the right medical information to include will vary from patient to patient, and depends on age, disease progression and other contributing factors. Care teams can often recommend the best details to include. In general, medical IDs often list:
- Name
- Condition
- Medications (for DMD, steroid dependency is important to note)
- Emergency contact number
For many patients there is often quite a lot of information to communicate, and it is difficult to fit it all on a bracelet. Many patients carry a wallet card to give more detail, or choose a bracelet that features a QR code. Some of the bracelets now available connect to a smartphone app or have a 24/7 call center who will provide all information. If you choose one of these options, you can include further information such as:
- Mobility
- Related health conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, respiratory difficulties or cognitive dysfunction
- Unrelated health conditions
- Allergies, especially any that impact medication choices
- Back-up emergency contact
- Primary healthcare provider
- Health insurance provider
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