August is MedicAlert Awareness Month
Nonprofit Organization Helps to Reduce Medical Errors
TURLOCK, CA (PRWEB) July 30, 2004 -- In an emergency, medical personnel have
only moments to determine a patients needs, and begin lifesaving care.
Unfortunately, patients often cannot communicate their special needs in an
emergency, and face an increased risk of medical errors.
August is
MedicAlert Awareness Month. MedicAlert encourages people to learn more about its
services that help to save lives in emergencies by reducing medical
errors.
A MedicAlert bracelet or pendant provides information that is
often needed before emergency treatment can begin. In addition, first responders
and law enforcement can call the organization's 24-Hour Emergency Response
Center to receive further information on the patient, including emergency
contacts, allergies, medications, implanted devices, insurance provider, and
more. MedicAlert also contacts the patient's family, so they are not alone in an
emergency.
"We in EMS are medical detectives," said Thomas Brabson, DO at
Albert Einstein Medical Center. "MedicAlert may give us that clue we
need."
Twenty-three state governors have signed proclamations that
support MedicAlert Awareness Month. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush
and Bill Clinton have also promoted MedicAlert awareness.
MedicAlert is
one of the largest nonprofit membership organizations in the world with a
mission to protect and save lives. Since 1956, MedicAlert has relayed member's
key medical facts to emergency medical personnel so that they receive faster,
safer treatment, and avoid harmful or fatal reactions.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/7/prweb144829.htm