Do EMT's/Paramedics look to see if a person has a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace before giving any drugs?

Question

I wear a medic alert bracelet stating that I'm allergic to Versed and Penicillin. I'm scared to death that one day I'll get into an accident and that an EMT will not read my medic alert bracelet and give me what I'm allergic to. Is there any sure way that I can avoid this ever happening?

Answer 1

How many paramedics does it take to treat a patient?  Six.

One to check for a medic alert bracelet

One to check for breathing

One to check for heartbeat

One to check for consciousness

One to write all the information down

and

One for me to fantasize over.

My daughter always complains that when the paramedics come to my house they're hands are all over me, while they totally ignore her. LOL

Of course they check for the bracelet.  And if you're able to speak, they also ask.  And, if it is safe for them to take the time to do so, they go through your medications so they can write down what you're taking and how much.

Bless our paramedics, firefighters, police, military, & teachers.  We owe them all so very much, and pay them so very little.

Answer 2

They will check.  And whoever told you that the first drug they give is Versed is wrong.  It depends on the situation, how your BP is running at the time, the mechanism of your injury, how many IV lines they have, and that sort of thing.  If you have been in a crash and your BP is low and they only have one line going then they are certainly NOT going to give you something that you are A allergic to and that will B drop your BP even more.

Answer 3

Medics will check for medical alert jewelry. its rather hard to miss anyway when they're taking your vitals. Also paramedics/EMTs have a limited quantity of drugs that they use. You are more likely to get saline solution via IV and oxygen than heavy drugs from a medic and in those cases its to save your life or control severe pain. Their job is to stabalise you and get your butt to the hospital ASAP. Medics will start an IV only if you need it.

I have been taken to the hospital by ambulance a couple times and I am alergic to some medications, it has never been a problem for me and is not something you need to worry about.

Answer 4

I wear one as well. And yes they do check for them as well as wallet cards. So please do not stress to much. If they are doing their job correctly they will notice you have one on.

Answer 5

You needn't worry. There are some situations in which they'll use drugs first, but they're few, and don't include those drugs.

Answer 6

Versed is a drug that paramedics are allowed to administer. Not all states allow it to be administered, though. Generally, Versed is given in a very few certain instances, such as to facilitate intubation or to sedate for certain cardiac procedures.

It's not given very often, and the majority of states don't even allow for it in their protocols.

EMTs and paramedics are definitely trained to check for a Medic Alert bracelet before giving any drugs. And you don't have to worry about PCN, at least from an EMS point of fiew :)