Look at what KUTV in Salt Lake City had to say about the importance of wearing a medical ID!  What a great endorsement!  Read a portion of their article here. To read the complete article and watch their video, visit http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story/Bracelets-Designed-to-Save-Your-Life/ayxQLvNR90qbMYG_HHPf3A.cspx.

Every year, millions of people will visit an emergency room here in the country. But without critical information, your life could be at risk. Would a doctor know if you were allergic to medication, or have a medical condition that could jeopardize your treatment? And would doctors have access to this information if you were unresponsive?

You can now put important medical information on a necklace or bracelet. The bracelets have your name, a medical condition such as diabetes or epilepsy, and even a number for doctors to call for additional information regarding your medical history.  READ MORE.  http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story/Bracelets-Designed-to-Save-Your-Life/ayxQLvNR90qbMYG_HHPf3A.cspx

Liz Gabel
American Medical ID
Interactive Sales

Looking for a new doctor can be stressful and time-consuming.  However, it is very important to find the right doctor for you and your loved ones. Just like us, doctors have varying personalities and it’s helpful to find a doctor whose personality matches yours.  Often times we rely on family or friend recommendations but remember that we all have unique personal preferences and could benefit from doing our own research. 

Some tips for finding your perfect fit include:

·         Choose 3 or 4 doctors that you feel have the credentials you are looking for.

·         You can then verify their credentials by using tools such as the AMA DoctorFinder
http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/html/patient.html .  This resource provides basic information on virtually every licensed doctor in the United States.

·         Make appointments to interview a few of the doctors whose credentials checked out.

Questions to consider during the doctor selection/interview process include:

·         When scheduling the appointments was the receptionist friendly, responsive to questions, polite and knowledgeable?  How long were you on hold prior to talking to a live person?

·         When you arrived at the appointment, was the wait area clean and comfortable?  Were you greeted promptly?  How long did you wait to see the doctor?

·         When meeting the doctor, did he greet you warmly with a smile?  Did he seem rushed or distracted?  Did he listen to your concerns and questions and provide adequate information?

·         What was your general first impression of the doctor?  Did you feel comfortable sharing your personal information?  Did you feel at ease?  Did you feel you could trust this doctor?

·         With what hospital is the doctor affiliated?  Is this a reputable hospital?  Would you want to be admitted to this hospital if needed?

·         Is the doctor’s office close to where you live?

Most importantly, you must feel comfortable when talking to the doctor.  If you feel intimidated or unsure of yourself in the presence of the prospective doctor you should consider continuing your search. And, always remember that it is wise to get a second opinion prior to beginning any type of treatment.  Happy hunting!

Liz Gabel
American Medical ID
Interactive Sales

Although we have numerous medical ID plates, charms, metals and designs, there is always someone who wishes to wear a unique or different medical ID.  We are proud of our “build your own medical ID” website, which allows customers to personalize and create their own medical ID by selecting a charm/pendant, chain style, emblem color, etc. of their choice.  However, I am a realist.  I understand that we may not have the perfect chain or metal for you.  But the key is that if you need to wear a medical ID, you should. And if you wish to create your own…by all means do so!

At the recent American Association of Diabetes Educators 2008 Conference in Washington, DC last month, I met one of our customers who used our Silver Medallion to create her own personalized medical ID.  The Medallion, engraved with her medical information, was attached to a claw type clasp which hooked to her own bead chain bracelet. I personally found the ID quite stylish. But most importantly, she was wearing a medical ID!

If you wish to create your own medical ID, feel free to do so.  We sell our charms, pendants and bracelet plates without the chain to allow customers the option of designing their own medical ID.  Keep in mind, the price for the charm/pendant/plate with the chain and without are the same.

Good luck, and have fun putting your own spin on your medical ID!

-Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

With the passing of hurricane Ike from the Texas coast, I was reminded of the importance of making sure my online medical record is updated at all times. 

On Friday before hurricane Ike’s arrival, the staff of American Medical ID was given the opportunity to prepare for the storm.  One of the top priorities on my family’s list was grabbing all insurance and medical files from our cabinet and placing them in a large plastic bag to prevent potential water damage.  

Since time and space is crucial during hurricane preparations, an updated online medical record allows you to feel secure that your medical information is current.  Once the files were properly stored, I put on my titanium medical ID and “hunkered” down in our master bathroom to await the pending storm. 

The good news!  Our home was free of damage as were the homes of many of my colleagues. However, our corporate office experienced some damage due to falling trees on the roof and in the parking lots. 

Whether your online medical record is with us, or another program/company, be sure to keep it updated as you never know what type of urgent situation may arise.

-Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

A University of Western Australia study found people 50 years of age and older with memory loss experienced significant improvements in their memory by walking 150 minutes per week.  Conducted over a period of 18 months, 170 people with memory problems, but not dementia, were split into two groups.  One group continued their daily activities as normal and the second group participated in a home-based activity program, which included three 50 minute walking sessions or other moderate exercise activities per week.

The trial concluded that the “exercise group had an average of 142 more activity minutes in a week” than the control group, contributing to an improvement in memory during the six month trial as well as 12 months thereafter.

As two of the top engraved conditions on our medical IDs, Dementia and Alzheimer’s both have memory loss as a common symptom.  Memory loss by itself does not mean you have either one of the conditions.  However, the study shows the importance of exercise or moderate activity is the key to stimulating your brain function and improving memory loss.

If someone you know has Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s, a medical ID with basic information such as an emergency contact name and phone number engraved on an ID can come in handy if an episode of memory loss occurs during an outing.

 -Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

It’s hard to believe but it’s already back to school time!  It seems the summer days go by so quickly.  For kids heading back, it’s important to remember their safety; especially important for children with allergies or important medical conditions. These children need not miss out on the fun of field trips, recess, class parties and other school activities.  They simply must practice safety, which includes making their condition well-known to all those around them.

As for my own children, I am lucky.  We have no allergies or conditions to speak of.  However, it’s still good practice to have a medical ID on their wrist or necklace which can include basic information about the child, such as an emergency contact number.  For those children with allergies, such as milk or nuts, or even a condition such as diabetes, a medical ID is a must-have.  The ID will list the child’s condition, medication information; even a doctor’s phone number is a good idea.  For these children, if a situation occurs at school in which they may need medical attention, the medical ID will give the teacher, school nurse, or paramedic a sneak peek into the medical history.  And, it’s easier than ever to encourage the child to wear an ID since there are so many “cool” ID’s to choose from, such as dogtags and sportbands.

So, I wish everyone a safe journey back to school!  I may be as anxious as my kids to find out which of their friends are in their classes!

Liz Gabel
Interactive Sales
American Medical ID

With tropical storm Eduard on my heels causing a very turbulent 30 minute ride after take off, I landed safely in Washington, DC to begin setting up our booth for the AADE 2008 conference.

This year we involved the attendees with a new marketing program.  We asked the diabetes educators, nurses and dieticians to vote on our next marketing education poster to help reinforce the importance of wearing a medical ID.  Since the healthcare community educations and/or prescribes patients to wear a medical ID, it is extremely valuable to ask what tools would help them best with their jobs.

Although I do not have a condition or allergy that would warrant wearing ID, I do anyways.  My medical ID has I.C.E (In Case of Emergency) information as well as “no known allergies” engraved on the underside.  So, if something happens while I am out and about, my medical ID alerts first responders to my health status based on the information engraved.  Also, they can quickly call my emergency contact person engraved on my ID to notify them of what is taking or just took place.

Although I was in Washington, DC for work, there was time for a little play.  With my medical ID in tow, I walked the grounds of the Smithsonian museums and visited the Washington Monument.

-Danielle, Product Manager @ American Medical ID

I’m packing my bags for Washington, D.C.  American Medical ID is exhibiting at the American Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting.  This marks our 9^th year exhibiting at the conference and for me, personally, my 8^th appearance!  I have worked a great number of trade shows over the years and AADE has one of the most exciting, energetic exhibit floors of them all.  This is a great core audience for us.  The nurses and educators enjoy viewing our medical ID jewelry and learning about new products on the horizon.  They always seem to greet our booth with such enthusiasm!  Of course, for American Medical ID it’s important for us to inform the educators about our varied line of medical ID products as well as the value in our Online Medical Registry.

I think the job these nurses do on a daily basis is so vital to our society.  I mean, their job is to EDUCATE their patients about diabetes.  Did you know that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes?  That’s 8 percent of the population.  There’s a lot of education needed for every single person diagnosed and this job falls to our healthcare professionals.  As well, every single person with diabetes should wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace—their life could depend on it.

Enough of this for now!  I look forward to seeing you all in our nation’s capitol!

Liz Gabel
Interactive Sales
American Medical  ID

Whether it is worn for fashion, function or to convey a message, wearing jewelry has become a part of everyone’s daily dressing routine.  But are you aware that a small portion of our global population is allergic to the metal in our jewelry?

Between 10% to 12% of women and 6% of men experience Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), or simply, a localized rash or irritation of the skin due to the skin coming in contact with an irritant (in this case a metal).  The most common metals that cause ACD are gold and nickel.  Both metals are listed on the top 10 most common causes of ACD. 

Many of us are unaware if we are allergic to gold or nickel until we experience a reaction.  Nickel ACD can develop at any age and a reaction isn’t always immediate.  To my surprise, both white gold and 9Kt gold contain nickel. 

Signs of a gold or nickel ACD are as follows:

*  Red, swollen rash

*  Water blisters

*  Itchy or inflamed skin

Most of the time, an ACD reaction is a minor inconvenient rash that clears up with a few weeks.  However, if really want to know if you have a metal allergy contact your physician for nickel testing.  Unfortunately, a cure is not available yet for these metal allergies. 

So, on your next shopping trip, you must become a guru of reading jewelry labels.  Look for hypoallergenic, solid gold (12Kt or more), titanium and silver (raw) jewelry.

Danielle Coleman

Product Manager

American Medical ID

This is our first blog. Actually, this is my first blog as well. And I hate to admit that the first draft was actually written out on paper. So please forgive me if we break any rules regarding this format. But we have had a voice for a long time, and certainly been a part of the conversation in health care for quite some time. Unfortunately for many, medical IDs have long been “under the radar”…an afterthought…an admission to anyone living with diabetes or heart disease that they live with something that, at times can control them, no matter how in-control they may feel.

Many times patients discover how beneficial a medical ID can be from NOT wearing one. We get far too many calls from people, literally on their way home from the emergency room, asking us how fast we can make their first ID, because they realize how their experience would have been so much better had they been wearing one.

We believe a medical ID should be an extension of you; your personal style. Dare I say, something you are proud of. But more importantly, something that can give you a voice, when you otherwise may not be able to speak. That’s a very simple, yet powerful tool in this age of rising healthcare costs and medical errors. That’s the whole idea behind why this company was started by our founder and CEO, Rick Russell, who still runs the business with the same simplicity, passion and focus.

I’ll stop here…my hand is getting tired. But we look forward to hearing your feedback and contributing on a regular basis. Let us know what you think.

Dirk Van Slyke
Vice President Sales & Marketing
American Medical ID