MASAC Recommendation On Use Of Emergency Medical Identification Devices For Children

Horizons in Hemophilia, March 2011 

MASAC Document #201

The following recommendations were approved by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council (MASAC) of the National Hemophilia Foundation on November 13, 2010, and adopted by the NHF Board of Directors on November 14, 2010.

The Nursing Working Group conducted a survey of use of Emergency Medical Identification (EMI) devices available for children and found that there are no devices appropriate for infants and young children under 3 years of age. In addition, the number of children wearing these devices is low in all age groups.  Based on their study, the NWG has established the following guidelines for use of EMI devices in children:

• For all age groups, EMI should be worn on the body instead of externally such as in a wallet, on a car seat, or in a caregiver’s purse or diaper bag. An emergency medical identification card placed in one of those locations can accompany the child, but this should not replace EMI on the child.
  
• The EMI should be identified with a medical symbol (i.e. Caduceus) and look like an EMI so it will not be mistaken for a piece of jewelry.
  
• The EMI should be fastened securely but not tightly and should be assessed frequently to insure that the fit is snug but not tight.
  
• Presently there is no ideal EMI for infants under 1 year of age.
  
• All EMIs placed on a child <3 years old which have emblems or clasps <1 3/4 inches should carry the warning: “Not intended for children < 3 years old due to choking hazard.”
  
• These are general guideline to be adapted to meet the needs of each child.

Read the complete document on the NHF website:
https://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=57&contentid=1644