Medical IDs for Pharmacists
While traditional medical bracelets feature metal, Mediband takes a fresh approach. Mediband's IDs come with food-grade silicone. The benefits? They're less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Even better, they're resistant to breaking. This means patients are less likely to lose the band. For those who are clumsy, they don't catch on items easily.
If you're prescribing to someone with a condition that affects their care, you may want to recommend a Medical ID. Using Mediband or MedibandPlus, you help patients alert others to their condition. As a result, they carry on with their daily lives free from worry.
How can pharmacists benefit from medical bands?
Today, pharmacists are playing a bigger role in patient care. People no longer see doctors for every health complaint. There are lots of areas where pharmacists control health outcomes:
- Warfarin clinics.
- Treatment for simple conditions. This includes cystitis and blood pressure monitoring.
- Providing patient education.
If a patient comes to you for advice, knowing more about their condition is useful. As many doctors will testify, patients don't always offer information about their health. For example, they may not feel they have a coagulation disorder if their condition is well-controlled. This means a lack of Medical ID leaves you clueless.
So, how does this affect you as a pharmacist? Today, pharmacists play a big role in general practice. When you do provide treatment for simple conditions such as cystitis, a lack of information can affect your patient's health. Certain antibiotics may affect INR levels, for example.
If you do host a warfarin clinic, you can visually check for a medical ID. If you see one, ask the patient more about their condition. With the information they provide, you can tailor their plan to bring their INR within its target range.
To whom should pharmacists promote medical bands?
When you think of medical bands, certain people come to mind. Usually, this is those with an allergen or warfarin users. However, there are many patients who benefit from them:
- Alzheimer's, autism, and other communication disorders
- Coeliac, Crohn's, and others with IBD
- Those with clotting and bleeding disorders
- Individuals with diabetes
- Those with visual impairments
- Persons wearing a pacemaker or ICD
- Those with an organ transplant
- Rarer conditions, such as lupus and polymyalgia
Making medical professionals aware of such conditions keeps patients safe. When patients are incapacitated, they can't communicate their condition. With a Mediband, they walk around safely.
How do patients benefit from pharmacists promoting medical bands?
Patients often become experts in their own conditions. However, until they reach that stage, they may struggle to convey information about their condition to medical personnel.
For example, someone who has Alzheimer's or Parkinson's dementia may present as lucid. If they're wearing a medical ID that identifies their condition, medics know how to approach them. Similarly, if someone has Crohn's or ulcerative colitis and they enter hypovolaemic shock, they may not be able to communicate their condition due to fluctuating consciousness. With the right ID, a medic may identify the source of bleeding faster.
Finally, for first responders, knowing that a pacemaker or allergy is present helps them fine-tune their care. The better care the patient receives during that first golden hour, the lower their risk of comorbidities.
How can you incorporate medical IDs into your pharmacy?
You may now be wondering how medical IDs fit into your pharmacy. And, why choose Mediband?
As a pharmacist, you may want to introduce medical IDs when:
- A patient attends your Warfarin clinic and they don't have one
- You're aware of a new diagnosis that benefits one
- A patient passively tells you about a negative care experience due to inappropriate treatment
There are lots of medical IDs out there, so why choose Mediband?
Mediband provides a range of designs and materials. The most significant are food-grade silicone. As a material that rarely irritates skin, it causes fewer allergic reactions. On the other hand, patients can choose stainless steel or gold. Gold looks a little more fashionable. This might lend it well to those who steer away from Medical IDs for style reasons. Stainless steel is durable, so it goes the extra mile.
In addition to numerous materials, Mediband provides bands, bracelets, and necklaces. With necklaces acting as a discreet option, patients may prefer them. By offering medical IDs, you promote greater patient safety.