Did you know that 47 per cent of Australians have chronic conditions? Many of them wear a medical ID bracelet so they can receive quick and appropriate treatment in an emergency. It’s a simple idea that brings enormous peace of mind.

But if you have more than one condition or have extra information to include on your medical ID alert, you may be wondering how a medical wristband can support all these details.

You also want to make your wristband easy and quick to read in an emergency. To help you achieve this, in this article we’re going to take a look at well-known medical abbreviations to help you design your own medical ID bracelet.

Keeping it short and sweet

Medical abbreviations are the easiest way to fit lots of information onto your alert bracelet, even if you are living with two, three or more conditions.

You will need to ensure that the abbreviations you use are recognised to avoid any confusion in an emergency.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common medical abbreviations and meanings to help you design your own customised medical ID bracelet.

Common medical abbreviations for Australia

Here’s our list of some of the most common medical abbreviations used in Australia to help you plan your medical ID wristband:

ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
ADPKD: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
ADR: Adverse drug reaction
A-FIB (or AF): Atrial fibrillation
AIDS: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AJA: Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry
ALL: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
ALRG: Allergies
AML: Acute myeloid leukaemia
AODM: Adult-onset diabetes mellitus
ASD: Autistic spectrum disorder
BMT: Bone marrow transplant
BP: Blood pressure (add high or low as appropriate)
BPAD: Bipolar affective disorder
CA: Cancer
CABG: Coronary artery bypass graft
CF: Cystic fibrosis
CFS: Chronic fatigue syndrome
CHD: Congenital heart disease
CHF: Congestive heart failure
CKD: Chronic kidney disease
COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CVA: Stroke
CT: Chemotherapy
DNR: Do not resuscitate
DVT: Deep vein thrombosis
EDS: Ehler-Danlos syndrome
EpiPen: Epinephrine pen
GM: Grand mal (epilepsy)
HTN: Hypertension
ICD: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
IDDM: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
JCA: Juvenile chronic arthritis
JDB: Juvenile diabetes mellitus
L: Left
MS: Multiple sclerosis
NAFLD: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
NIDDM: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
NKA: No known allergies
PTSD: Post-traumatic stress disorder
R: Right
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
Rh -ve: Rhesus factor negative
Rh +ve: Rhesus factor positive
SCA: Sickle cell anaemia
T1D/T2D: Type 1 diabetes/Type 2 diabetes
TBI: Traumatic brain injury

More hacks for your medical ID alert

As well as abbreviations, you can choose a design with a universally recognised medical symbol.

The most common of these are the Caduceus symbol, which depicts a pair of snakes wrapped around a staff with wings at the top, and the Staff of Asclepius, also known as the Star of Life. This symbol shows just one snake wrapped around a staff with no wings.

Whichever you choose doesn’t matter, as they both represent medical matters and will draw attention to the fact that your bracelet bears details relating to your health.

When you want to have even more personal information to hand, like your name, address and emergency contacts, you can also carry an emergency information medical wallet card where you can list it all. In this case, you can simply have your medical wristband customised to say, “See wallet card.”

A write-on medical bracelet is also an easy way to customise your medical alert and include details of more than one condition, any medication that you are taking or an emergency contact number.

If you wear medical ID alert every day, you’ll want one that’s comfortable, long-lasting and non-toxic. Choose a silicone wristband to tick all these boxes. Browse your favourite colour from our collection and customise it with your medical details. Or, opt for one that is pre-printed with your specific condition.

Or you might want to choose a medical ID alert that resembles a piece of classic jewellery in stainless steel or a silicone bracelet with a stainless steel panel. This type of medical bracelet has space where you can have details of your condition or contact numbers engraved.

Shop medical wristbands Australia

When you suffer from more than one medical condition, you now know that you can include more information than you thought possible on a single wristband by using abbreviations.

We stock a wide range of medical wristbands here at Mediband, from those already printed with specific conditions through to fully customisable models. So browse our options to find a medical ID alert that’s perfect for you.

They can also be linked to the MedibandPlus medical database where subscribers can keep medical information for access in an emergency.

Our wristbands are available for delivery all over Australia and internationally, and they will reach you quickly wherever you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a medical ID and why should I wear one?

A medical ID helps first responders identify critical conditions, allergies, and emergency contacts so they can provide the right care quickly. It is recommended for anyone with medical conditions, allergies, or who takes regular medications.

2. Can I customise my Mediband?

Yes. You can personalise text, medical conditions, and contact details across a wide range of band styles and sizes. Custom and ready-made options are available.

3. Do you supply organisations such as school, hospitals or NDIS participants?

Yes. We support B2B orders for hospitals, clinics, schools and health organisations, and we are NDIS registered for eligible participants. Contact the Mediband team via [email protected] for assistance.

4. How fast is shipping?

In-stock items are typically dispatched quickly from our Sydney location. Custom orders have short production lead times. Express options are available at checkout.

5. How do I find the right size?

Each product page includes sizing guidance. If unsure, choose an adjustable style or contact our team for help.

6. I Am Healthy, Why Should I Wear Medical ID?

Accidents and medical emergencies do happen to healthy people without warning. In the US, 103 million people were taken to emergency rooms last year alone. Mediband medical ID bracelets provide peace of mind so that if the unexpected occurs, critical medical information can be conveyed to emergency personnel. A Medical ID helps to prevent incorrect diagnosis, raises awareness of conditions like allergies and diabetes, and provides essential contact information in emergencies.

7. Will Emergency Personnel Find My Medical ID?

Emergency personnel are trained to search personal belongings for identification and medical information. Mediband medical wristbands are designed to be highly visible and feature the star of life medical emblem, recognized universally by caregivers and medical personnel.

8. Wouldn't Emergency Room Personnel Be Able to Obtain My Medical Records from My Local Hospital or Doctor?

While they probably can, it could take hours. If the request is made after office hours, your medical records might not be retrieved until the next day. In emergencies, seconds count, and having immediate access to vital information could make a life-saving difference.

9. How Do I Change the Currency of the Site?

Select your country from the dropdown menu at the top left corner under "International Sites". Note: Your shopping cart must be empty to change the currency.

10. What Is the Minimum Order?

There’s no minimum order for non-custom Mediband products. For custom silicone medical ID bracelets, a minimum order of 7 is required due to setup costs. Ordering 7 also provides spares to store in various locations for convenience.

11. What Size Is Right for Me?

Our Mediband medical IDs come in sizes: Extra Large (220 mm), Large (202 mm), Medium (180 mm), and Small (150 mm). Choose based on wrist size, with Medium typically suited for children under 12 and Small for children under 6.

12. Why Are Some Medibands Only Available in a Particular Colour?

Some medical conditions are associated with specific colors, like blue for diabetes and red/orange for allergies. This color-coding aids quick recognition by medical personnel. We also offer customizable colors and styles for a personalized look.

13. Ordering Customised Bands?

Production time for custom stainless steel bracelets and silicone wristbands can take 10-15 business days, excluding shipping.

14. What Number Do I Call If I Want to Talk to Someone?

You can reach us at 1300-796-401 between 9 am to 5 pm AEST, 365 days a year. Alternatively, Email Us or message us on Facebook.

15. What Distinguishes Mediband from Its Competitors?

Mediband is dedicated to superior customer service and quality. Our customer testimonials reflect our commitment to excellence.

16.How Do I Order?

Simply browse our catalogue, add your desired items to the cart, and check out. If you need assistance, feel free to contact us.

17. Can't Find What You Are Looking For?

If you need a specific condition covered, reach out to us to discuss adding it to our catalogue or creating a custom Mediband. Our Write-On silicone bands allow for manual information input as needed.

18. How Do I Place an Order on Behalf of a School or Government?

Create a new account, select 'School' or 'Government', and choose the cheque payment option upon checkout. Send us an Official Purchase Order (OPO) to start production.

Bad Request

Which medical abbreviations can I use on my medical wristbands?