MedicAlert Foundation International Unveils its Commitment to Excellence and Provides New Consumer Guidelines
Code of Conduct Details Quality Promise, Codifies Proposed Industry Standards
London (October 11, 2011) – MedicAlert Foundation International, a worldwide network of nonprofit medical identification and emergency response service organisations, issued a Code of Conduct that provides a set of service standards that for the first time will enable consumers worldwide to evaluate competing medical ID and emergency response services.
“As medical ID services continue to evolve and grow around the world, a well-conceived consumer evaluation tool is needed more than ever to enable informed decision-making regarding the vast array of options available to the public,” said Andrew B. Wigglesworth, President and CEO of MedicAlert Foundation International, which includes nine Affiliates worldwide serving more than 50 countries. “In a very competitive sector operating with virtually no standards, consumers are at risk of not receiving quality services when needed most – during medical emergencies. The MedicAlert Code of Conduct addresses this need.”
Millions of people across the globe have medical conditions, allergies and other health complications that emergency services should be alerted to in order to provide optimal emergency treatment and to help ensure the best outcome possible. MedicAlert was established more than 50 years ago to serve as this vital information link between its members and emergency responders in times of need.
MedicAlert Foundation International Code of Conduct serves two critical purposes. First, the Code of Conduct spells out in detail the commitment that the MedicAlert global network makes to each of its members. Second, the Code of Conduct also sets a baseline by which consumers can evaluate and make informed decisions on key aspects of all the different types of emergency medical information and identification services and organisations.
As the inventor and pioneer of these services, MedicAlert Foundation International is exercising leadership once again to publish this Code as the first step toward the goal of establishing agreed upon global industry standards that put the public’s best interest first.
“As the market leader and a mission-driven nonprofit, MedicAlert Foundation systematically identified the necessary elements needed to comprise effective emergency medical information and identification services,” said Mark Rawden, CEO of MedicAlert United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland. “Consumers will now have a tool to assess all medical ID products and services, including our own, to help determine what service will work best for them.”
The Code of Conduct is presented as a five-point checklist that consumers can use to determine their individual needs and priorities and evaluate providers of emergency medical information and ID services. Choosing the best service provider to meet individual needs is increasingly complicated with so many options available in the marketplace. This five-point checklist emphasizes the areas listed below; guiding consumers with descriptions of the various alternatives and objective pros and cons to consider when selecting the product and service features best suited to personal needs. Complementing the checklist is a lengthy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to help consumers in making educated decisions:
1. Safeguarding and protecting your personal health information
2. High standards for engraving medical ID products
3. Safe and effective medical ID jewellery and products
4. No-fail emergency response services
5. Better standards of business
Copies of the Code of Conduct and related FAQ may be found at www.medicalert.org/codeofconduct
For further information please contact:
Roisin O’Brien
MedicAlert Foundation United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland
NOTES TO EDITORS
· MedicAlert® is the trading name of the MedicAlert Foundation, the only non-profit making registered charity in the UK providing life-saving identification jewellery for individuals with hidden medical conditions and allergies.
· This takes the form of body-worn bracelets, necklets, wrist bands or a watch (known as MedicAlert Emblems) bearing the MedicAlert symbol on the disc and is supported by a 24 hour emergency telephone service.
· MedicAlert Emblem’s are engraved with the wearer’s main medical condition(s) or vital details, a personal ID number and a 24 hour emergency telephone number that can access their details from anywhere in the world in over 100 languages.
· MedicAlert’s status as the only registered charity that provides this life-saving service means that whenever possible, they provide free membership to people who would otherwise be unable to join themselves. For those who can afford it, membership starts from only £25 plus the cost of the first emblem.
· Over the past 40 years more than 300,000 people have benefited from the reassurance and protection MedicAlert can provide 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
· Approximately 18% of members have diabetes, 21% allergies, 22% cardiac conditions, 9% asthma, 8% steroid therapy, 7% epilepsy, 4% thyroid disorders, 1% memory impairment, 2% splenectomy and 8% other conditions.
