Hello and happy International Nurses Day!

My name is Sarah, and I’ve been a registered nurse with MedicAlert for 14 years. To celebrate International Nurses Day, we wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what we do and how we help protect our members every single day.

So, what do MedicAlert nurses do?

I take great pride in the fact that we are the only medical ID charity with registered nurses reviewing member records.

Our role is simple, but critical: we ensure that every member’s medical record is accurate, up to date, and safe to use in an emergency. When seconds matter, clear and reliable information can save lives, no delays, no confusion.

Supporting members when they need It most

Many of our members join us after a new diagnosis, a frightening medical event, or on the advice of a healthcare professional.

This is where we step in.

We guide members on:

• What essential information should go on their medical ID

• What needs to be included in their medical record

• What doesn’t need to be included

For example, a past procedure like a tonsillectomy usually isn’t relevant in an emergency. However, being on anticoagulants (blood-thinning medication) is vital information that first responders need to know.

We also spot when something might be missing. A common example is food allergies. If someone has a severe allergy, we will often check whether they carry an EpiPen (adrenaline auto-injector), as this detail is sometimes overlooked.

Helping members keep records accurate

Our existing members regularly update their records with:

• Medication changes

• New diagnoses

• Medical documents

• New Allergies

Every update is reviewed by a nurse.

We also help members decide whether they need new jewellery and assist with new wording. This can be challenging, especially for those with complex conditions and limited space, but that’s where our expertise comes in. We make sure the most important information is always prioritised and clearly presented.

Common mistakes we help prevent

We often notice common mistakes or errors in members' medical records.

For example:

• Members often use abbreviations like “AF” which can mean atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, which are two separate conditions.

• Mixing up wording such as  “hypo” (low) and “hyper” (high), such as hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism

• Incorrect usage between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, being on insulin doesn’t automatically mean Type 1

• Misspelling of medical conditions and medications

• Incomplete information, we often try to find a little more information if known. For example; heart valve replacement is okay but we ideally would like to know which heart valve has been replaced

• Incorrect placement, sometimes we can find a condition, medication or allergy in the wrong area on the record.

These are easy mistakes to make, but they matter in an emergency. That’s why every record is carefully reviewed by a nurse to ensure it’s safe, clear, and clinically accurate.

What emergency calls do we receive?

MedicAlert nurses also review emergency calls and follow up with members to ensure everything went smoothly and update records if needed.

Calls often come from:

• Paramedics

• Doctors

• Police officers

The situations vary widely. We may be asked to:

• Confirm allergies/Medications/Medical conditions

• Provide medication details

• Share critical medical documents (such as pacemaker information)

We also help emergency professionals contact next of kin when needed, something that can make a huge difference in urgent situations.

Why this work matters to me

I truly take pride in working for MedicAlert. It’s a privilege to support our members, hear their stories, and help them live their lives with confidence, knowing they are protected.

No two members are the same. Even if two people have the same condition, their concerns, experiences, and needs can be very different. That’s why we treat every member as an individual, working together to find the best way to support them.

Final thoughts

I hope this has given you a helpful insight into what we do as MedicAlert nurses.

And to all the incredible, hardworking, and dedicated nurses out there, Happy International Nurses Day!