A range of new and potentially life-saving devices which provide paramedics and first responders with instant access to a patient's medical history in the event of an emergency has been launched.
The devices, called Tap2Tag Medical, are low cost, simple to use and can benefit anyone, from those with known medical conditions to the elderly or even those taking prescribed medicines.
A typical Tap2Tag Medical user wears a wristband, similar to popular rubber charity wristbands, while others prefer key fobs, credit card-sized cards, or even stickers displayed in their homes. Each device is embedded with technology known as near-field communication (NFC) designed for use with mobile smartphones.
Tap2Tag's founder, Bristol entrepreneur Chris Ford, said: "In an emergency, for example when someone collapses, after calling the emergency services any passer-by with an NFC-enabled mobile phone can simply tap the patient's device to gain access to vital and potentially life-saving medical information."
That information, which the patient chooses to make publically available via the online Tap2Tag system, could include details about their name, any known allergies, medical conditions, medications prescribed or any set message, for example the warning: “I have a heart condition. Spray is in my bag. Spray once in my mouth, then wait for paramedics." It could also include blood group, organ donation status and a photograph to confirm identity.
Additionally, when the device is tapped and activated by NFC, and the situation is verified as being an emergency, it also has a feature to send an instant message, by text or email, to designated family members or carers to alert them that the user is experiencing difficulty.
Importantly, no data is stored on the device itself. Instead each tag is allocated with a unique code, against which information is stored on a secure online database. The user controls and updates as necessary all data and chooses what to include and what to leave out.
Although Tap2Tag medical has only just been launched it has already been enthusiastically received by senior figures in healthcare.
Chris Skidmore, Conservative MP for Kingswood, Bristol, a former member of the Government's Health Select Committee, said: "This is a really exciting new development that has potential to transform the lives of people with health conditions, disabilities, communication difficulties and the frail elderly."
Nick Evans, South Western Ambulance Service's operational manager, added: "This is a tremendous piece of kit that could enable us to get patient information really quickly. We can see huge potential for it within emergency healthcare."
