Invisible Bracelet Launches Nationwide Emergency Medical Notification Text Messaging Service

TULSA, Okla., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- When faced with a medical crisis, having the ability or presence of mind to personally communicate critical health information to emergency response teams may not be possible.  With invisibleBracelet.org (iB), a virtual medical ID, consumers may have their vital health information readily available to emergency medical service (EMS) providers through the new ICE Public Profile and Enhanced Medic Network, helping save crucial time.  

The new iB Web service offers two levels of protection.  iB members may enroll for the SMS text-based 51020 ICE Public Profile that can instantly share medical conditions, medication, allergy and/or "in case of emergency" (ICE) contact details with first responders that have access to a member's iB wallet card, ID sticker or key fob.  First responders receive a 160-character ICE alert text message that was created by the member during the registration process.  All major U.S. mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Nextel, Alltel, U.S. Cellular and Boost Mobile support the 51020 service.  

The Enhanced Medic Network takes the 51020 feature to the next level of service, offering members a private profile only accessible to licensed and trained EMS providers in dozens of markets throughout the U.S.  With 110 initial licensees, iB will have more than 10,000 medics trained on how to locate iB identifiers and query iB personal identification numbers (PINs) using the iB Medic Network search engine.  Medics can query the PIN and get instant access to the patient-provided information about their current health conditions.  If medical transport is necessary, medics can notify up to 10 ICE contacts with the push of a button by simply confirming the name of the medical facility the patient is being taken for treatment.

To use either the 51020 ICE Public Profile or the Enhanced Medic Network, the service costs $10 per member, per year.

"People are taking control of their health information in a brand new way and connecting with their family members and friends when it matters most," said Noah Roberts, CEO, Invisible Bracelet.  "With our expanding network of EMS and Emergency Department (ED) health care providers, iB is turning into a must-have resource for every American."

To become a member, an individual must first purchase an iB membership online.  Next, the individual will receive the iB card(s) in the mail.  Once they have a membership card, an individual then returns to invisibleBracelet.org, creates an account and enters the PIN found on the iB card to create their patient profile with his/her health information.  The member then adds names, email addresses, mobile and landline phone numbers for emergency contacts.  The iB patient profile can then be updated at any time at no cost to keep the information current with any health or medication changes.

Members are instructed to place the iB card directly behind their driver's license, attach a fob to their key chain or backpack and apply a sticker to their health identification card.

"When we arrive at an emergency, we are tasked with treating patients based on no information about their health history other than their current circumstances.  With Invisible Bracelet, we can immediately pull up the health facts we need to know.  It saves valuable time," said Matt Zvadasky, director of operations for emergency service provider MedStar in Fort Worth, Texas.

By partnering with the American Ambulance Association (AAA), iB is rapidly establishing itself as a new national standard of practice for securely identifying patients and notifying loved ones.  Over the next 36 months, the AAA is working with iB to train all of its affiliated medics.

As a "HIPAA Compliant" Web service, iB meets or exceeds state and federal patient privacy and security laws.  iB creates audit logs every time patient data is accessed.  That way, the company can guarantee a record of when a patient's data was viewed and by which authorized medic.

About Invisible Bracelet (iB)

iB is a Web-based virtual medical alert service offered by Docvia, a privately held venture.  The company owns and operates safe, simple and inexpensive Web services designed for connecting patients and health care providers around the world.  Docvia is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  For more information, visit invisibleBracelet.org.

SOURCE invisibleBracelet.org