Medical alert bracelet

[yelofox]

Hi all, after recently being admited to hospital I have found out I am allergic to morphine - as a result of this I bought a medical alert bracelet saying so.

My employer has told me that I am not allowed to wear it at work - I work with food and they say its a hygine issue (I pack the food I dont make it) - they only permit 1 plain wedding band.

I always wear gloves and plastic sleaves up to my elbows so there is no way it could come into contact with the food, if for some reason it came off it would be contained within the glove sleave combination.

I have done as they ask and dont wear it.

Is there a way I can wear it? I am very concerned as if I recived morphine it could kill me.

Can they really demand I dont wear somthing which is potentually life saving?

Many thanks to any insite on this.

[woofgang]

put it on a chain around your neck...medic alert used to do pendant style ones as well...just checked, they still do

[boxtops]

Agree with woofgang, medicalert have a pendant with the same design as the bracelet. Or if you don't want to buy a new one, put the bracelet on a chain round your neck while you're at work?
You also need to make sure that your work records note your allergy, in case of an accident say, your supervisors need to have a note somewhere obvious.

[yelofox]

Thanks Woofgang and Boxtops - I have asked about wearing a necklace instead and they wont allow this either.

[woofgang]

why not? Who have you spoken to? Have you got an occupational health department?

[joko]

you could just put a piece of gaffer tape around your wrist so it is completely covered..though i suppose that may defeat the object as it needs to be visible...mind you i assume paramedics would remove your gloves etc...
you could write on the tape with marker what is underneath perhaps?

[yelofox]

Thanks guys,

Woofgang - The head QA says no and what he says goes - I dont think we have a occupational health department?

Joko - They would'nt allow any unautherised material such as gaffer tape in the area - tho you have given me the idea that maybe I could write it on my arm or something - I did think on having it tattooed on but I already have things on both forearms and dont want to spoil them - they would have a hard time to see it with everything else on there aswell.

Thanks again guys :-)

[rowanwitch]

Use the necklace type on a long chain under your clothes don't worry the hospital staff will still find it if you are brought in unconscious

you could have the details as a tattoo just the medic alert symbol then 'allergy morphine' but it would need to be somewhere visible probably on the front of your upper body where the staff wouldn't miss it

you can also carry the info on a laminated card in your purse or wallet as if you come to A and E the staff will check for an emergency contact person and will find it there

Most importantly tell people,

[yelofox]

Thanks Rowanwitch - If I got caught wearing a chain after being told not to I would definatly get the sack - I do have a card in my wallet but all personel property must be kept in your lockers - we are not alowwed anything "from the outside world"

One of my team is allergic to penicillin so I remember hers and she remembers mine.

[joko]

perhaps just have a marker pen with you and remember to write it on every day...tedious i know but at least until you sort somethign else out...
i think its very out of order of them really...i mean if they allow a wedding ring then it cant be to do with jewellery as i think a ring would harbour more germs than a wrist band...what about elastoplasts to ocver it?

[rowanwitch]

just a thought what do you wear under your uniform? most places its a t shirt could you get one printed only I've just remembered a patient who came into A and E with a tshirt saying JW no blood products please in a small logo where most folks have little crocs or other brand names and he'd done it just for the reasons you've explained.... employer who wouldn't allow indicator jewellery or cards I think your employer is being unreasonable though,

[cherrychapstick]

do you have belt loops on your trousers/skirt if so can you put the band on a keyring and attach it this way

[rowanwitch]

Usually right Eddie but in the case of severe injury if you want to induce artificial coma and paralysis to ventilate someone (use a life support machine) it is quite possible that morphine or a related drug will be used as part of the cocktail.

It is likely that someone who is allergic to morphine will be sensitive to other opiates too. the only good thing in A and E or ITU the staff are always alert for signs of acute allergic reaction up to and including anaphylaxis and know what to do to reverse it.

[joko]

do you wear a uniform? perhaps have a fabric emroidered patch made...