Medical Jewellery

The idea of wearing a piece of jewellery branded with a chronic disorder may not be very appealing – especially when you are newly diagnosed – but it is a vitally important element of your self-help kit. You might feel a little self-conscious about it at first, but this fades fast, just as you quickly get used to taking medication daily. Don’t get caught out – and don’t leave home without it.

Credibility in a crisis

Paramedics are trained to recognise the symbols displayed on medical jewellery. This means that they can access appropriate information on your condition and on how to treat you appropriately much more quickly in the event of an emergency. Time saved when you are deteriorating fast and becoming less able to communicate is of vital importance.

A recognised brand, such as MedicAlert® or SOS, also provides credibility. You might be surprised, but there is anecdotal evidence that medical staff can take some convincing that you do, indeed, have Addison’s Disease and need the correct treatment as a matter of urgency. This is not a debate you want to get into – even if you can – in the middle of a crisis. And just imagine the further complications of a foreign language, if you happen to be abroad at the time.

MedicAlert® working with ADSHG

In late 2003, we met with Jeannette Allen, Director and Kelly St Claire, Communications Manager of The MedicAlert Foundation to discuss emergency services and treatment for people with Addison’s disease.  The MedicAlert Foundation has been extremely helpful to us.  It has agreed to work in partnership with the ADSHG in any way it can to ensure that our members are well served by MedicAlert® and receive the right emergency treatment. 

From the early results of our membership survey, we know that a high proportion of ADSHG members are already registered with MedicAlert®.  For the benefit of new members and anyone who does not have emergency treatment jewellery, here is a bit of background on MedicAlert®.

What is The MedicAlert Foundation?

MedicAlert® is a registered charity that provides a life-saving identification system for people with hidden medical conditions such as allergies and life threatening ones, such as diabetes or Addison's Disease. As a MedicAlert® member, you wear a bracelet or necklet (known as an Emblem) engraved with a personal identification number, main medical condition(s) and an emergency telephone number.  In an emergency, medical personnel have immediate access to vital information on the back of the MedicAlert® disc.  By phoning the emergency number, they can also gain further medical and personal information such as your name and address, doctor’s details, current drug therapy and next of kin.  

MedicAlert®  has also agreed to hold the ADSHG emergency treatment advice on file for all its registered Addisonians.  This gives details of the dose of injectable steroid to administer to prevent an Addisonian crisis.  From informal discussions with medical professionals in checking our emergency treatment advice, we have the impression that many medical staff find a MedicAlert® bracelet the easiest form of emergency identification to work with.