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An Innovative Identification Method
For most paramedics, upon arrival at accident scenes, an almost too familiar scenario repeats itself. They frequently face incidents where patients are unable to identify themselves, let alone inform emergency personnel of any allergies or severe illnesses in life threatening situations. Often, unconscious people need to be identified, but no identification is to be found anywhere. Trying to identify a person then becomes a nightmare and results in a serious time constraint.
Critical time is wasted in trying to ascertain certain vital health conditions, such as diabetes and previous cardiac problems. Personal items that may possibly identify a person, such as Medic Alert bracelets, necklaces and bangles are often stolen from the scene, or lost in an accident, items that could have provided emergency workers with all the necessary information.
In the past, former fireman Jo Nieman had come across the above-mentioned scenario all too often and knew that there could be an easier way out. “In various situations I felt helpless not being able to obtain the required information on time.” Lack of proper identification regularly leads to a patient being taken to an inappropriate hospital, with disastrous effects. “More often that not, it is later discovered that the patient does have medical aid or suitable cover that would have ensured admission to a level one facility and immediate attention,” says Nieman.
It then dawned on Nieman that in the case of vehicle accidents, the one item that usually remains intact is the vehicle’s number plate. Soon a simple, financially feasible and easily accessible system was designed. It took the RegAlert team a further year to put everything in place. “The system is straight forward,” says Nieman. Immediate contact with a qualified medical staff member from RegAlert is established by sending a text message to the control room, via a cellular telephone, containing the vehicle’s number plate or the patient’s identification number.
Once a match has been found on the system, the operator will verify certain details with the paramedic at the accident scene, such as the car model, colour and the patient’s gender. A short messaging service (SMS) will be sent to the registered owner of the car. This process is highly beneficial in the event of multiple members matching the text description, or the injured driver of the vehicle not being the registered owner.
At the same time an SMS is sent to the paramedic, containing details of the member, such as the blood group, medical aid status and important medical history the patient might have. A brief update of the member’s condition and which medical facility the person may be taken to is then obtained from the paramedic. The necessary information is then forwarded to the member’s pre-selected emergency contact person.
Once the call is finalized, the medical aid, its partners or medical facilitator will automatically receive e-mail with information regarding the call and the member.
RegAlert user registration and membership is free of charge to all emergency management services members, while membership to the public comprises a mere R36 annually. Not only can this system save critical time, but it can also save lives.
--Mientjie Steyn, ESSA, November / December 2004