ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 16, 1996 TAG: 9605160175
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Henrietta Young wants doctors to notice the medical bracelet she wears, but doesn't think everyone else has to see it. She would like to replace it with a more attractive and durable model, and has enlisted a state lawmaker to help.
The plastic bracelet worn by Young, 81, lets paramedics or physicians know she wants no extraordinary measures taken to prolong her life in a medical emergency. Its tag says ``Do Not Resuscitate.''
Young complained the bracelets ``are plastic and they are not waterproof or wearproof.''
Del. Brian Moran, D-Alexandria, said he has received a petition with about 100 complaints about the bracelets. He has written to the state Office of Emergency Medical Services asking that they be replaced with something more dignified.
Options include a metal bracelet, a necklace that could be concealed easily in an elderly person's clothing but still available to medical personnel, and an ankle bracelet.
``There's no reason it can't look more attractive,'' Moran said. He said he plans to take the issue to the General Assembly next year if he can't persuade state officials to change the bracelets.
In 1992, Virginia lawmakers voted to let senior citizens wear the medical bracelets if a physician signed a special order. Since then, the state has issued more than 78,000 of the tags. The Health Department does not keep precise figures on how many people wear them.
They contain a doctor's order, the patient's Social Security number and other information.
Ruth Robertson, a spokeswoman for the Emergency Services office, said the tags were originally meant for use by terminally ill patients and probably weren't designed for longer-term use.
Robertson said health officials will review Moran's request and may create a task force to look at alternatives to the plastic bracelet.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB