MedicAlert
I am excited to be elected to the MedicAlert Board joining Jessica Federer, head of digital development at Bayer. As Barton Tretheway, CAE, chair of the MedicAlert Foundation Board pointed out
Their collective experience aligns with our priorities and will be immeasurable to us as we look to leverage the power of new technology to expand the mission of MedicAlert Foundation, which is designed to help save lives
Their collective experience aligns with our priorities and will be immeasurable to us as we look to leverage the power of new technology to expand the mission of MedicAlert Foundation, which is designed to help save lives
Which succinctly captures my feelings around this additional role. I personally experienced the value of the MedicAlert solution, brand and promise when I practiced as an Emergency Room physician in the United Kingdom. It was part of the standard procedure for any patient who arrived unconscious or confused to look for the signature bracelet
Traditional Medical Alert Bracelet
With its iconic Caduceus (similar but different to the Rod of Asclepius) which was the traditional sign of the God Hermes and became established as the symbol of medicine in the United States in the late 19th Century.
History of MedicAlert
The Original MedicalAlert User – Linda Collins
The history of MedicAlert dates back to the Early 1950’s developed by parents of Linda Collins who had an who had an anaphylactic reaction to tetanus anti toxin (which in her instance she only received a small scratch test as was the practice in 1953) and had a severe reaction. She survive but her parents Dr Marion Collins and his wife Chrissie realized that she was at risk and made a paper bracelet and note that was attached to her coat detailing her severe allergy.
In fact the original MedicAlert Bracelet is now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Today
The Original Bracelet stored in the Smithsonian in Washington DC
From these modest beginnings things have developed with early recognition by “Peace Officers”. The California Peace Officers magazine even ran an article back in January 1957 highlighting the MedicAlert bracelet to their members. In the era before mobile phones and always on communication it was a reliable way of identifying individuals and providing immediate access to a 24- hour phone line linked to critical and life saving information for that individual. This function continues today with a live 24/7 Emergency Response Service
I worked on one of these switchboards as a Medical Student many years ago
with full health and personal information including your personal health record and emergency contacts information and available in other countries including Australia, the UK, Canada and South Africa to mention a few through affiliates and partnered with many groups including AAFP, Alzheimer’s Association, ACEP, Autism Association, Philips LifeLine, National Alliance of Mental Illness, Food Allergy Initiative – to mention but a few
The age of computing brought new innovations and the ability to more readily store and retrieve more information for members and track and follow membership and presidential recognition dating back as far as April 9-16, 1978 when then President Jimmy Carter commemorated the occasion of MedicAlert and their contribution to Medic Alert week in April. Even Hollywood got in on the act with appearances of the MedicAlert in everything from the Today Show and Good Morning America to CHiPs
and Columbo
Peter Falk in Columbo
Moving into the Digital Age
The organization is moving into the digital age with solutions around stored medical records, moving to digital mobile formats and storage solutions and even exploring the potential for RFID enabled solutions and in partnership with the American Medical Association has a joint venture on advanced directives.
Back in 1956 Dr Marion Collins commented that
“I think I can save more lives with MedicAlert that I’ll ever save with my scalpel”
Which is much like my own perception of medicine and the opportunity of Digital Health that I saw 30 years ago and continues to be the case. It’s this combination of a storied brand and concept from MedicAlert as a foundation and the opportunity to update for the new Digital world we live in that presents such an exciting opportunity. We are facing a Silver Tsunami of people who struggle to age in their homes and technology and solutions that help them do so, safely and with the support of their relatives and the health system will be in high demand.
I’m looking forward to working with my fellow board members and the MedicAlert team to continue the tradition and build on the brand with a Digital update and twist
Comments
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Robert Blount On August 18, 2016 at 12:43 pm
It’s an honor to have you on the team!
Hosting On April 27, 2017 at 9:50 am
It tells Medical Professionals and emergency services how you wish to be treated in certain circumstances. MedicAlert Foundation securely and electronically store such Action Plans, so they are readily available to any Emergency Medical Responder, should the need arise.
Web Hosting On May 21, 2017 at 4:15 pm
Your ManageMyHealth account allows you to take control of your Medical Records, including the ability to update personal contact details as and when you need. Staying in touch is very important, so too is keeping your personal and emergency contact information up to date.
Virtual Private Servers On July 25, 2017 at 12:24 pm
We are passionate about supporting the wellbeing of our members and work to deliver innovative, reliable and cost-effective products and services that meet their ongoing needs. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the support of donations so we can continue to protect the thousands of Australians living with medical conditions and keep membership fees to a minimum.