How does Tap2Tag Medical alert work with those with Allergies?
Living with a severe allergy is complex and potentially life threatening. According to a survey from AllerGen it is estimated that 7.5% of Canadians have a food related food allergy. This excludes statistics relating to Asthma and Hayfever.
An allergic reaction occurs when the body's immune system mistakes something like food or pollen as a harmful and dangerous invader. The body reacts by releasing antibodies called immunogolbin E (IgE). The IgE prompts the body to release chemicals known as histamines. When the histomines are released the body reacts by producing symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, skin rashes and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis. When considering food allergies the body's immune system is also involved.
If you are concerned that you have a medical allergy then it is always best to get this checked out by a medical professional. Through a series of tests they will be able to determine the type of allergy you have and the steps you need to take to avoid getting an allergic reaction in the future. With food allergies this may simply be the need to avoid those ingredients that cause the reaction. But allergies can also be caused as a result of intolerancies to peanuts, nuts, bee stings and even some drugs used in x-ray tests, particularly when given by injection.
WHY IS TAP2TAG MEDICAL ALERT IMPORTANT?
With allergies it is time critical to be able to convey to a first-responder the reasons why you may be unwell. In particular you may already be carrying an adrenaline syringe that should be used when having an severe anaphylaxtic shock. Of particularly importance is the need to be able to share that information with medical personnel in the event of a medical emergency.
At Tap2Tag we believe that you should take control of your medical information and be allowed to determine what you disclose at the appropriate time.
HOW DOES TAP2TAG MEDICAL WORK?
We sell medical wristbands, cards and key fobs. Each device comes with a special chip inside it. For our newer devices each product also comes with a QR code too. A paramedic or first responder simply taps their NFC enabled phone against the device and your medical information appears. There are no apps to download, the information simply appears on their phone's browser.
DEVICES AND PROFILES
When you buy a Tap2Tag device you need to register it at our website. Every product comes with a unique code and once registered only you can control it. A profile is the type on information you want to attach to that device. Currently you can create medical, pet and connect profiles on your account. However you can only assign a medical profile to a medical device. This ensures that you cannot accidentally assign your dog's profile to your important medical wristband!
A medical profile is an extensive list of information about you and your medical information. It's exactly the kind of information a paramedic needs to treat you quickly. Here are just some of the pieces of information you can share.
- Name
- Medical history
- Medication
- Any medical devices you are carrying and where to find them
- Next of kin contact information
You can even include scanned documents within your profile such as care plans, hospital passports or copies of your prescription. It's completely up to you how much information your want to share. We also have a system we call Traffic Lights. This means that every piece of information in your medical profile can be controlled by you and this determines who can see this information. Green data means it pops up immediately on the paramedic's phone. Amber requires the first responder to login to get to more information about you and Red (Cross) is data you only want authorised medical practitioners to see. We even have a fourth category called Black Padlock, which only the account holder can see. Useful if you want to store a copy of your health insurance policy.
WHY IS TAP2TAG MEDICAL DIFFERENT TO THE REST?
There are two simple reasons. There is no other system in the world that offers this level of comprehensive data storage and gives you ultimate control over that information. The second is that our Tap2Tag Medical Alert service does NOT REQUIRE A SUBSCRIPTION. You can use the most comprehensive medical alert system in the world without needing to pay a subscription but, for some limited services, we do need to make a small annual charge. You can still update the information as much as you like. It's part of our mission to provide the best service possible to those that need it. It's a life saving and life changing product that already benefits thousands of people.
WHO SHOULD YOU BUY A TAP2TAG MEDICAL DEVICE?
Anyone with a complex medical condition would have been advised by their health professional to purchase some sort of medical alert device. If you have been newly diagnosed or living with severe allergies then it is vital that you and other healthcare professionals can access your medical information quickly and efficiently. Costing from as little as CAD$9.99 for a wristband this could give you the peace of mind.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
There are a number of communities that can give dedicated advice to those with allergies. We have listed a few below.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
We are very proud of what Tap2Tag Medical Alert has become since we launched it in 2014. It has saved numerous lives but also changed the lives of many more.