These “Delete my Browser History” medic alert bracelets are making the rounds again and some say they can be a hassle for first responders and other emergency medical professionals.
This redditor, who works in the medical field, made this plea back in 2015:
…I work in healthcare and emergency medicine. Some people are going to call me a stick in the mud or say I have no sense of humor. I assure you that I do however there is a time and a place. Here’s what I want to say to (scream at) people:
Wearing a joke or novelty medic alert bracelet in your everyday life is NOT funny, it is stupid and causes grief to the people who are trying to save you. …I can’t tell you the number of people we’ve had wearing ones saying things like ‘Delete my browser history’, ‘Format my hard drive’, ‘I’m probably just shitfaced’ or ‘Blood type: Coors Light/Jack Daniels/alcohol of your choice’. Stop. Just stop. When first responders are checking you and they see one everything stops. They don’t know if you’re allergic to a certain medication, or can’t have needles in one arm, or whatever else. It’s precious time they could be using to save your life. It’s even worse when you come to the ER under your own power and insist on making the staff look at it while they are treating you. Today a group of guys were brought into the ER unconscious after their car rolled over (they’re okay) All 5 of them had medic alert bracelets. Four were novelty and one was legitimate. I can’t even begin to describe how frustrating that was for everyone, especially because the legitimate one was the last person to be pulled from the car. Look we don’t care if you get one as a joke and put it on at that moment. But don’t wear them in everyday life. Healthcare/ER staff/first responders everywhere would appreciate it.
Counterpoint: I asked a friend in the medical field (who wishes to remain anonymous) and they said the bracelets don’t affect patient outcome and it would be an “extremely rare case” when they would. They called them a “distraction.”
An anon friend-of-a-friend, who works as an EMT, feels similarly:
I’ve never encountered one outside of the internet. I thought it was funny when I first saw/heard about them. Neither my work partner or I give it much thought. If I encountered one on a medical call what would matter is if the labeling is clear or not. If it is I’d have no issue. If it was not legible then there’d be a problem or concern that is unnecessary.
Any medical professionals care to comment on this?