A medical identification (ID) is a piece of jewelry that has a medical symbol and states a health condition (Pictures 1, 2 and 3). It can be a bracelet, necklace or sports band. Some people tattoo the information on their wrists or body. Why have a medical ID

In an emergency, the medical ID can speak for someone when he or she is not able to speak. It gives quick facts about what is most important to the person’s health so that the right care can be given right away. Emergency health providers are trained to first look at wrists, then check the neck for a medical ID. They usually do not go into a wallet or check a cell phone for health information. A medical ID is good for people who have:

Allergies - food, drugs or insects Heart disease Special treatments Diabetes Blood disorders Transplant Epilepsy or seizures Rare diseases Deafness or blindness

What to choose

Medical IDs can be bought at pharmacies, online and at some jewelry stores. The choice of which one to buy should be based on what health facts are most important and what suits the person’s lifestyle.

Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

Medical Fact

Label

Medical Fact

Label

Allergy to bees

NO BEES

Diabetes 1 Insulin

DM1-INSULIN

Allergy to latex

NO LATEX

Diabetes 1 Pump

DM1 PUMP

Allergy to nuts

NO NUTS

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Allergy to penicillin

NO PCN

Medicines

MEDS

Bone Marrow Transplant

BMT

Sickle Cell Disease

SCD

Cystic Fibrosis

CF

Type of transplant

TX - KIDNEY

Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

DM 1

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

VNS

There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

Asthma

ASTHMA

Hemophilia

HEMOPHILIA

Blind (or deaf)

BLIND (OR DEAF)

On blood thinner

ON BLOOD THINNER

Epilepsy - on meds

EPILEPSY ON MEDS

Seizures - on meds

SEIZURES ON MEDS

Sometimes SEE OTHER SIDE is written on the front with facts on the back (Picture 3). Ask what style fits the way the person lives. Does the medical ID need to be extra strong, waterproof, fashionable or made of a certain metal? For privacy reasons and because paramedics will not have time to make phone calls or check medical records online, numbers should not be put on the medical ID:

No telephone numbers No medical record numbers No pin numbers or log in information

A medical ID should be worn at all times. It may prevent an emergency from happening and reduce trips to the hospital. Most important, wearing a medical ID can save a life. Medical Identification (ID)

HH-47 2/18 Copyright 2018, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A medical identification (ID) is a piece of jewelry that has a medical symbol and states a health condition (Pictures 1, 2 and 3). It can be a bracelet, necklace or sports band. Some people tattoo the information on their wrists or body. Why have a medical ID

In an emergency, the medical ID can speak for someone when he or she is not able to speak. It gives quick facts about what is most important to the person’s health so that the right care can be given right away. Emergency health providers are trained to first look at wrists, then check the neck for a medical ID. They usually do not go into a wallet or check a cell phone for health information. A medical ID is good for people who have:

Allergies - food, drugs or insects Heart disease Special treatments Diabetes Blood disorders Transplant Epilepsy or seizures Rare diseases Deafness or blindness

What to choose

Medical IDs can be bought at pharmacies, online and at some jewelry stores. The choice of which one to buy should be based on what health facts are most important and what suits the person’s lifestyle.

Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

Medical Fact

Label

Medical Fact

Label

Allergy to bees

NO BEES

Diabetes 1 Insulin

DM1-INSULIN

Allergy to latex

NO LATEX

Diabetes 1 Pump

DM1 PUMP

Allergy to nuts

NO NUTS

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Allergy to penicillin

NO PCN

Medicines

MEDS

Bone Marrow Transplant

BMT

Sickle Cell Disease

SCD

Cystic Fibrosis

CF

Type of transplant

TX - KIDNEY

Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

DM 1

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

VNS

There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

Asthma

ASTHMA

Hemophilia

HEMOPHILIA

Blind (or deaf)

BLIND (OR DEAF)

On blood thinner

ON BLOOD THINNER

Epilepsy - on meds

EPILEPSY ON MEDS

Seizures - on meds

SEIZURES ON MEDS

Sometimes SEE OTHER SIDE is written on the front with facts on the back (Picture 3). Ask what style fits the way the person lives. Does the medical ID need to be extra strong, waterproof, fashionable or made of a certain metal? For privacy reasons and because paramedics will not have time to make phone calls or check medical records online, numbers should not be put on the medical ID:

No telephone numbers No medical record numbers No pin numbers or log in information

A medical ID should be worn at all times. It may prevent an emergency from happening and reduce trips to the hospital. Most important, wearing a medical ID can save a life. Medical Identification (ID)

HH-47 2/18 Copyright 2018, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A medical identification (ID) is a piece of jewelry that has a medical symbol and states a health condition (Pictures 1, 2 and 3). It can be a bracelet, necklace or sports band. Some people tattoo the information on their wrists or body. Why have a medical ID

In an emergency, the medical ID can speak for someone when he or she is not able to speak. It gives quick facts about what is most important to the person’s health so that the right care can be given right away. Emergency health providers are trained to first look at wrists, then check the neck for a medical ID. They usually do not go into a wallet or check a cell phone for health information. A medical ID is good for people who have:

Allergies - food, drugs or insects Heart disease Special treatments Diabetes Blood disorders Transplant Epilepsy or seizures Rare diseases Deafness or blindness

What to choose

Medical IDs can be bought at pharmacies, online and at some jewelry stores. The choice of which one to buy should be based on what health facts are most important and what suits the person’s lifestyle.

Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

Medical Fact

Label

Medical Fact

Label

Allergy to bees

NO BEES

Diabetes 1 Insulin

DM1-INSULIN

Allergy to latex

NO LATEX

Diabetes 1 Pump

DM1 PUMP

Allergy to nuts

NO NUTS

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Allergy to penicillin

NO PCN

Medicines

MEDS

Bone Marrow Transplant

BMT

Sickle Cell Disease

SCD

Cystic Fibrosis

CF

Type of transplant

TX - KIDNEY

Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

DM 1

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

VNS

There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

Asthma

ASTHMA

Hemophilia

HEMOPHILIA

Blind (or deaf)

BLIND (OR DEAF)

On blood thinner

ON BLOOD THINNER

Epilepsy - on meds

EPILEPSY ON MEDS

Seizures - on meds

SEIZURES ON MEDS

Sometimes SEE OTHER SIDE is written on the front with facts on the back (Picture 3). Ask what style fits the way the person lives. Does the medical ID need to be extra strong, waterproof, fashionable or made of a certain metal? For privacy reasons and because paramedics will not have time to make phone calls or check medical records online, numbers should not be put on the medical ID:

No telephone numbers No medical record numbers No pin numbers or log in information

A medical ID should be worn at all times. It may prevent an emergency from happening and reduce trips to the hospital. Most important, wearing a medical ID can save a life. Medical Identification (ID)

HH-47 2/18 Copyright 2018, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A medical identification (ID) is a piece of jewelry that has a medical symbol and states a health condition (Pictures 1, 2 and 3). It can be a bracelet, necklace or sports band. Some people tattoo the information on their wrists or body.

Why have a medical ID

In an emergency, the medical ID can speak for someone when he or she is not able to speak. It gives quick facts about what is most important to the person’s health so that the right care can be given right away. Emergency health providers are trained to first look at wrists, then check the neck for a medical ID. They usually do not go into a wallet or check a cell phone for health information. A medical ID is good for people who have:

Allergies - food, drugs or insects Heart disease Special treatments Diabetes Blood disorders Transplant Epilepsy or seizures Rare diseases Deafness or blindness

What to choose

Medical IDs can be bought at pharmacies, online and at some jewelry stores. The choice of which one to buy should be based on what health facts are most important and what suits the person’s lifestyle.

Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

Medical Fact

Label

Medical Fact

Label

Allergy to bees

NO BEES

Diabetes 1 Insulin

DM1-INSULIN

Allergy to latex

NO LATEX

Diabetes 1 Pump

DM1 PUMP

Allergy to nuts

NO NUTS

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Allergy to penicillin

NO PCN

Medicines

MEDS

Bone Marrow Transplant

BMT

Sickle Cell Disease

SCD

Cystic Fibrosis

CF

Type of transplant

TX - KIDNEY

Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

DM 1

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

VNS

There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

Asthma

ASTHMA

Hemophilia

HEMOPHILIA

Blind (or deaf)

BLIND (OR DEAF)

On blood thinner

ON BLOOD THINNER

Epilepsy - on meds

EPILEPSY ON MEDS

Seizures - on meds

SEIZURES ON MEDS

Sometimes SEE OTHER SIDE is written on the front with facts on the back (Picture 3). Ask what style fits the way the person lives. Does the medical ID need to be extra strong, waterproof, fashionable or made of a certain metal? For privacy reasons and because paramedics will not have time to make phone calls or check medical records online, numbers should not be put on the medical ID:

No telephone numbers No medical record numbers No pin numbers or log in information

A medical ID should be worn at all times. It may prevent an emergency from happening and reduce trips to the hospital. Most important, wearing a medical ID can save a life. Medical Identification (ID)

HH-47 2/18 Copyright 2018, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

In an emergency, the medical ID can speak for someone when he or she is not able to speak. It gives quick facts about what is most important to the person’s health so that the right care can be given right away.

Emergency health providers are trained to first look at wrists, then check the neck for a medical ID. They usually do not go into a wallet or check a cell phone for health information.

A medical ID is good for people who have:

  • Allergies - food, drugs or insects
  • Heart disease
  • Special treatments
  • Diabetes
  • Blood disorders
  • Transplant
  • Epilepsy or seizures
  • Rare diseases
  • Deafness or blindness

What to choose

Medical IDs can be bought at pharmacies, online and at some jewelry stores. The choice of which one to buy should be based on what health facts are most important and what suits the person’s lifestyle.

  • Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

  • Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

  • Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

  • For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

  • Medical Fact

  • Label

  • Medical Fact

  • Label

  • Allergy to bees

  • NO BEES

  • Diabetes 1 Insulin

  • DM1-INSULIN

  • Allergy to latex

  • NO LATEX

  • Diabetes 1 Pump

  • DM1 PUMP

  • Allergy to nuts

  • NO NUTS

  • Do not resuscitate

  • DNR

  • Allergy to penicillin

  • NO PCN

  • Medicines

  • MEDS

  • Bone Marrow Transplant

  • BMT

  • Sickle Cell Disease

  • SCD

  • Cystic Fibrosis

  • CF

  • Type of transplant

  • TX - KIDNEY

  • Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

  • DM 1

  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation

  • VNS

  • There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

  • Sometimes SEE OTHER SIDE is written on the front

  • with facts on the back (Picture 3).

  • Ask what style fits the way the person lives. Does the

  • medical ID need to be extra strong, waterproof, fashionable

  • or made of a certain metal?

  • For privacy reasons and because paramedics will not have

  • time to make phone calls or check medical records online,

  • numbers should not be put on the medical ID:

  • No telephone numbers

  • No medical record numbers

  • No pin numbers or log in information

A medical ID should be worn at all times. It may prevent an emergency from happening and reduce trips to the hospital. Most important, wearing a medical ID can save a life.

Start by asking the health provider for help. What are the key medical facts someone needs to know in an emergency?

Is a pre-engraved ID with one diagnosis such as Hemophilia, enough (Picture 2)? If not, what other facts need to be engraved on a custom medical ID? The facts should be arranged in order of importance (Picture 3).

Can information on the label be abbreviated or shortened?

  • For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:
  • Medical Fact
  • Label
  • Medical Fact
  • Label
  • Allergy to bees
  • NO BEES
  • Diabetes 1 Insulin
  • DM1-INSULIN
  • Allergy to latex
  • NO LATEX
  • Diabetes 1 Pump
  • DM1 PUMP
  • Allergy to nuts
  • NO NUTS
  • Do not resuscitate
  • DNR
  • Allergy to penicillin
  • NO PCN
  • Medicines
  • MEDS
  • Bone Marrow Transplant
  • BMT
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • SCD
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • CF
  • Type of transplant
  • TX - KIDNEY
  • Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)
  • DM 1
  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation
  • VNS
  • There are medical diagnoses that cannot be shortened and may need to be spelled out.

For allergies, a simple NO before the kind of allergy will be clear. Or, use ON to tell about a medicine. Some examples are:

Medical Fact

Label

Allergy to bees

NO BEES

Diabetes 1 Insulin

DM1-INSULIN

Allergy to latex

NO LATEX

Diabetes 1 Pump

DM1 PUMP

Allergy to nuts

NO NUTS

Do not resuscitate

DNR

Allergy to penicillin

NO PCN

Medicines

MEDS

Bone Marrow Transplant

BMT

Sickle Cell Disease

SCD

Cystic Fibrosis

CF

Type of transplant

TX - KIDNEY

Diabetes Type 1 (or 2)

DM 1

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

VNS

Asthma

ASTHMA

Hemophilia

HEMOPHILIA

Blind (or deaf)

BLIND (OR DEAF)

On blood thinner

ON BLOOD THINNER

Epilepsy - on meds

EPILEPSY ON MEDS

Seizures - on meds

SEIZURES ON MEDS

  • No telephone numbers
  • No medical record numbers
  • No pin numbers or log in information

Medical Identification (ID)

HH-47 2/18 Copyright 2018, Nationwide Children’s Hospital