When an Emergency Strikes, Scroll I.D. Medical History Could Save Your Life

Medical History Device

“In an emergency, what medical professionals don’t know about you could kill you,” says John Blanchard, CCRN, CFRN. Blanchard, an emergency room nurse who has also worked as a flight nurse and a critical care nurse, has witnessed far too many instances where the lack of a patient’s medical history has hindered emergency care. As a result, Blanchard has developed Scroll I.D. (www.scrollid.com), a 1.5-inch by 8-inch laminated document containing a person’s basic medical history that is rolled up, stored in a lip balm-sized tube, and that attaches to a key ring, backpack, belt loop, or shoelace.

“One in five people who come into the ER are unconscious, and another three out of five convey inaccurate or no information about their medical histories,” says Blanchard. The stress of even the most minor injuries often causes patients to forget which medications they take, allergies they may have, and even what surgeries they may have undergone in the past. This lack of information can have serious consequences, causing a delay of care or worse. “A significant amount of the information needed to make a correct medical diagnosis comes from the conversation with the patient about their medical history,” says Blanchard. “Scroll I.D. helps prevent diagnostic errors by giving emergency medical personnel the key elements of that patient conversation in written form.”

Scroll I.D. provides all of the basic medical information that is critical to a patient’s on-the-scene care. The front contains a photo, name, and date of birth, as well as information for an emergency contact, insurance carrier, and primary care physician. It also has a series of checkboxes denoting whether the patient wears dentures, glasses, or contact lenses, whether the patient is diabetic, has a seizure disorder or pacemaker, and whether immunizations are current. The reverse side of Scroll I.D. lists allergies, current medications, past medical and surgical history, and alternative therapies the person may be undergoing.

Although some patients wear medical bracelets noting life-threatening conditions and Internet-based services exist that provide medical histories, Blanchard is adamant that the non-tech nature of Scroll I.D. makes it exponentially more useful to medical personnel than other methods of conveying information. “In a medical crisis, paramedics at the scene and emergency room nurses and doctors don’t have the time or resources to make phone calls or search the Internet for a patient’s history – especially if the patient can’t provide the PIN number to access their account. Giving medical professionals immediate access to a medical history – and to a photo that links that information to the patient – can save lives.”

Blanchard notes that Scroll I.D. could have had a tremendous impact in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “There were thousands of survivors who either couldn’t be identified or who couldn’t provide accurate information about their medications and medical histories. With communication systems down, Scroll I.D. could have provided the vital link that could have made the difference between life and death.”

Dr. Nancy Trangmoe, a Board Certified Emergency Room physician, agrees that Scroll I.D. can save lives. “I wish that everyone who came into my emergency room had a Scroll I.D.,” she says. “There are no downsides to Scroll I.D. It’s a must for people of all ages.”

At $24.95, Scroll I.D. is also less costly than the alternatives. “A stainless steel bracelet costs between $36 and $45, and only provides the most basic information,” says Blanchard. “USB keys can cost $79 and are useless if they are crushed in an accident. Microfilm identification for kids is ruined when it gets wet or falls into the mud, and it doesn’t have a photo that matches the patient to the medical history.”

To obtain a Scroll I.D., consumers can either log on to www.scrollid.com and enter their medical histories and upload digital photos, or fill out forms and mail them and with pictures to Scroll I.D. They may also obtain Scroll I.D. through local churches, schools, senior centers, or other non-profit organizations that participate in the company’s fundraising program. “It’s important to me that Scroll I.D. both promotes safety and helps communities,” says Blanchard. After submitting their information and photos, consumers will receive a Scroll I.D. tube with their waterproof scroll inside. They will also have the ability to obtain free updates throughout the year.

Blanchard sees the benefit of every man, woman, and child carrying a Scroll I.D., and is launching an effort to notify EMS services, fire departments, and police agencies that emergency personnel should look for Scroll I.D. on the scene. “Accidents are the number one reason children between the ages of 1 and 18 come into the emergency room, and most people who visit the ER are between the ages of 18 and 44,” says Blanchard. “From the ages of 44 and 65, people come in for chronic illnesses, while those who are between 65 and 75 are typically seen for allergic reactions to medications or improper dosing.”

Blanchard’s own experience with parents of children who come to the emergency room reinforces his belief in Scroll I.D. “Every day, parents bring their kids to the emergency room. Understandably, they are upset, and in that stressful situation many can’t remember their children’s medical histories, especially their allergies. We live in a country where 98 percent of pets have identification, but only 2 percent of children do.” As Scroll I.D. catches on, there’s no doubt that number – and the number of lives saved during emergencies – will be on the rise.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com