miCARD Medical Scenarios
by Michele O’Connor
Four Emergency Medical Scenarios that Justify the Need for a New Medical ID Card
Life is Too Short to Leave to Chance! Time is critical in a medical emergency. Imagine you are unconscious or overcome by severe symptoms. Who will be there to inform first responders about your medical history, yet keep your personal medical history private?
Well, doctors from one of the world’s most renowned hospitals have figured it out and created a revolutionary medical ID card called “miCARD.”
miCard, invented by a team of ER Doctors, is becoming the national standard for medical information cards. miCARD meets federal guidelines for health record standardization and serves as a true solution for emergency personnel, hospitals, doctors, etc.
miCARD gives medical providers a concise summary of your vital medical information. Now, medical personnel will know your unique medical conditions, current medications, allergies and more if a medical emergency arises or even if you are visiting a new doctor or specialist.
To give us a better understanding, the doctors at miCARD have prepared four very real scenarios we can all relate to;
Scenario #1:
50 year old man presents to emergency department with chest pain. He is sweaty, nauseated, and short of breath. An EKG is obtained. The heart rhythm is a Left Bundle Branch Block.
Without miCARD: If no old records are present, we have to assume in the absence of any heart history that the Left bundle branch block is new. If this is the case the patient goes immediately to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angiogram. This procedure is not without risks and if unnecessary, the patient was exposed to unnecessary risk.
With miCARD: The card indicates LBBB and the patient has stored an old EKG online to confirm this. This patient will not be rushed to the cardiac catheterization lab for an immediate angiogram giving doctors more time to make an informed decision. (Eliminated unnecessary emergent testing and its associated cost and risk)
Scenario #2:
80year old lady arrives in emergency department via ambulance with altered mental status and no medical information in her purse. She is displaying difficulty breathing and looks moribund.
Without miCARD: With no records available and limited information, ER staff will provide a full resuscitation which could include invasive iv lines and intubation.
With miCARD: Patients medical conditions include stroke and cancer. Her medical power of attorney indicates she has a “do not resuscitate” directive confirmed by documents stored online with micard. The patient’s wishes can be honored. (Care directives recognized and honored)
Scenario #3:
81 year old man arrives in emergency department with difficulty speaking and left side paralysis of 4 hours duration.
Without miCARD: Emergency physician confers with Neurologist and consideration is given to thrombolytic medication to treat stroke. This clot busting medication has a 5% risk of causing bleeding in the brain and a 50% mortality if bleeding occurs in the brain after giving this medication.
With miCARD: Physicians determine quickly that patient would be ineligible and at risk for thrombolytic therapy based on: age>80, current use of Coumadin (an anticoagulant), prior stroke, and presence of diabetes. All of these factors are contraindications to a therapy which already carries significant risk. (reduced risk of medical error)
Scenario #4:
25 year old female with severe right lower abdominal pain and vomiting. She is very symptomatic and doesn’t feel like answering questions. She fails to mention she is allergic to IV contrast dye. A CT scan is ordered with IV contrast (routine)
Without miCARD: Patient failed to mention allergy because she was preoccupied by severe symptoms so her medical history is limited by her ability or willingness to participate. Patient receives IV contrast and has severe allergic reaction (preventable situation)
With miCARD: Patient doesn’t feel like answering background questions and hands nurse her miCARD. The card indicates IV contrast allergy. CT scan is ordered without contrast.
You can read more about the miCARD program by visiting www.micard.com/silvercensus.
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