PCHPCA: Medical alert jewelry cannot stand alone

A Google search for “medical alert bracelets” or “medical identification tags” yields many resources for obtaining these items, with assurances that they will protect the wearer. But this is not always the case. In complex or emergency medical circumstances, it depends upon the situation and current Indiana law.

When is medical identification jewelry helpful?

Most emergency responders are trained to look for medical identification jewelry worn as a necklace or bracelet. Emergency medical information can also be made available on a person’s phone. This information can be helpful when identifying allergies or medical diagnoses that could explain a person’s condition or provide guidance for medical care.

When is medical identification jewelry not helpful?

Medical information jewelry, tattoos or other indications of a patient’s wishes not to be resuscitated or intubated cannot legally be honored unless there is also the presence of a legally signed medical order, such as Indiana’s Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (OOH-DNR) form or the Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) form. The jewelry may alert emergency responders that such medical orders may exist, but without the actual physical presence of a signed medical order itself, emergency responders must legally provide all medical care in accordance with standards of care for the person’s situation.

In addition, a “living will” or other type of document stating a patient’s health care preferences not to be resuscitated are not legally valid and cannot be honored. While such documents are an indication of your wishes, Indiana law requires a medical order signed by a physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner to withhold treatment in an emergency.

What should a seriously ill or frail person do if they do not wish to receive certain medical procedures?

If a person is medically qualified for either the OOH-DNR or the POST medical order, and wishes not to receive certain life-prolonging treatments, the person must ensure these documents are available at all times and in all locations in case of an emergency.

The following is a checklist to ensure one’s health care wishes not to receive certain types of treatments can be honored:

• Complete the paperwork to legally choose a health care representative(s) with legally required signatures on an Indiana Advance Directive form.

• Talk with a physician to see about eligibility to have a medical order such as the OOH-DNR or the POST.

• If one is eligible for these medical orders, they should have a physician (or physician assistant or nurse practitioner) complete the appropriate form, with required signatures.

• Make copies of medical orders and an Indiana Advance Directive form.

• Give copies of these documents to the health care representative, family members, health care providers and caregivers. Keep originals in a safe place.

• Get a free Vital Medical Information File and put copies of vital medical information and these documents inside the bright red magnetic envelope and hang it on the refrigerator.

• Have the Vital Medical Information File envelope when leaving home.

To get a free Vital Medical Information File, contact the Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association at contact.us@pchpca.org or 765-301-7614.

The Putnam County Hospice and Palliative Care Association seeks to enhance the quality of life for the terminally ill, their loved ones and caregivers by educating the community about the benefits of hospice, palliative care and advance care planning.

The PCHPCA is a nonprofit public charity that operates with the help of donations, financial support from the Putnam County Community Foundation and fiscal sponsorship by Putnam County Hospital.