Content uploaded by Mark Anthony Kenneth Patterson
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Mark Anthony Kenneth Patterson on Feb 08, 2014
Content may be subject to copyright.
QR-Coded Medical Alert Bracelets for Patients with Narcolepsy
Authors:
Patterson, M1,2, Honig E2, Rorie K2
1Department of Pediatrics, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, USA, 2Narcolepsy Network,
North Kingstown, RI, USA
Introduction:
In June 2013 Jazz Pharmaceuticals released the findings of their AWAKEN (Awareness
and Knowledge of Narcolepsy) survey. This survey examined the narcolepsy knowledge
of 1,000 adults, 300 primary care physicians, and 100 sleep specialists. The surprising
results were that only 24% of PCPs and 62% of sleep specialists considered themselves
‘very or extremely knowledgeable’ about the disorder. Only 22% of sleep specialists
were able to identify all five symptoms of the disease; the same number reported they
were ‘not very or not at all comfortable’ in diagnosing narcolepsy. These results,
combined with anecdotal patient reports of suboptimal emergency department (ED)
medical care, prompted us to design a QR-coded medical alert bracelet to be used by first
responders and ED personnel to quickly obtain up to date information on medications
used and practice parameters for the treatment of narcolepsy.
Methods:
A medical information page was created on Narcolepsy Network’s website
(http://www.narcolepsynetwork.org/narcolepsy-911/) with links to webpages of common
narcolepsy medications and a treatment review article. A QR code was generated for this
information page and silicon medical alert bracelets were designed and produced. A
similarly QR-coded wallet sized medical alert card was also developed and produced.
Results:
At Narcolepsy Network’s Annual Conference in October 2013, 184 of the bracelets and
cards were distributed to patients with narcolepsy, including doctors and nurses. The
response was overwhelmingly positive for the benefit these bracelets were expected to
offer. Requests for the bracelets were quickly received from patients in locations as
distant as Scotland and the Netherlands.
Conclusions:
The rapid communication of essential medical information is requisite in order to provide
optimal medical care. This is especially urgent when dealing with a patient with a poorly
understood medical condition. The use of a QR-coded medical alert bracelet provides a
facile method for transmitting this information.
