EPIC-id™:  Electronic Medical Information Form

by Sean Regan, EMSCI #267
Lynchburg (VA) Fire Department

This is the electronic version of the IPMBA emergency form that we all carry in our left front pocket during classes.

The EPIC-id™ is a wearable USB medical information bracelet that is easily upgradeable by the user and easily accessible by emergency responders.  My initial impression of the bracelet was that it looks like one of the various fitness tracking bracelets that many people use to track their fitness progress.  The clasp is stainless steel and has a positive closure. 

A red cross on the clasp will alert emergency responders that the bracelet contains medical information.  The cut-to-size silicone band comes in three colors (black, red and white), holds the bracelet in place, and does not retain odors.

I have worn the EPIC-id™ daily since November and I have experienced no unintentional openings of the dual release clasp.  The USB drive is saltwater-, shower- and washing machine-proof.  In fact, my bracelet has gone through several wash cycles and still functions flawlessly.

The bracelet is PC/Mac™ compatible and features plug-and-play functionality.  Initial setup took me about 10 minutes.  The screens were easy to navigate and the amount of information that you can input is impressive.   As a paramedic, I can tell you that all of the information I would need to treat a patient is included on the history screens.  Key features include the ability to include a picture of yourself as well as additional information, such as DNR (do not resuscitate) orders, living will and organ donor information.

I accessed the medical records on the  EPIC-id™ using roughly 20 different computers and tablets.  The plug-and-play functionality of the USB worked seamlessly on all PC compatible devices; however, I was not able to access the files on two different Mac™-based laptops.  I was not overly concerned about not being able to access the files on the MAC™ laptops since most hospitals still primarily utilize PC-based programs.  To test the intuitiveness of the device, I handed the EPIC-id™ USB bracelet to several EMS providers and they were all able to access the information within 30 seconds.

The EPIC-id™ is a great device that is comfortable for daily and uniform wear.   The only caution that I would issue is that none of your personal medical information on the bracelet is password-protected, so be careful where you put it, and think about what you put on it.

The EPIC-id™ retails for $35.00 for a single bracelet or $95.00 for a trio pack.  The bracelets can be ordered at  www.epic-id.com.

Sean was certified as an EMSC at the 2011 IPMBA Conference in Richmond and as an EMSCI at the 2012 IPMBA Conference in Saint Paul.  He attended the PESC II at the 2015 IPMBA Conference in Chandler and his workshop, “The Prevention and Treatment of Mountain Bike Injuries”, was accepted for presentation.  He can be reached at sean.regan@lynchburgva.gov.

(c) 2015 IPMBA. This review appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of IPMBA News.

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