For Immediate Release

Contact: Jillian Megee
MedicAlert Foundation International
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Tel: + (209) 669-2460
                       
Contact: Bruce Kimbrey
MedicAlert Foundation of Southern Africa
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Tel: +27 21 4257328 ext 204)

MedicAlert Foundation International Unveils its Commitment to Excellence and Provides New Consumer Guidelines
Code of Conduct Details Quality Promise, Codifies Proposed Industry Standards

Cape Town, MedicAlert Foundation of Southern Africa. 13th September 2011 – MedicAlert Foundation International, a worldwide network of nonprofit medical identification and emergency response service organizations, issued a Code of Conduct that provides a set of service standards that for the first time will enable consumers worldwide to evaluate competing medical ID and emergency response services.  

“As medical ID services continue to evolve and grow around the world, a well-conceived consumer evaluation tool is needed more than ever to enable informed decision-making regarding the vast array of options available to the public,”  said Andrew B. Wigglesworth, President and CEO of MedicAlert Foundation International, which includes nine Affiliates worldwide serving more than 50 countries.  “In a very competitive sector operating with virtually no standards, consumers are at risk of not receiving quality services when needed most – during medical emergencies.  The MedicAlert Code of Conduct addresses this need.”

Millions of people across the globe have medical conditions, allergies and other health complications that first responders and emergency medical personnel should be alerted to in order to provide optimal emergency treatment and to help ensure the best outcome possible.   MedicAlert Foundation was established more than 50 years ago to serve as this vital information link between its members and emergency responders in times of need.

MedicAlert Foundation International Code of Conduct serves two critical purposes.  First, the Code of Conduct spells out in detail the commitment that the MedicAlert global network makes to each of its members, present and future.  Second, the Code of Conduct also sets a baseline by which consumers can evaluate and make informed decisions on key aspects of all the different types of emergency medical information and identification services and organizations.   

As the inventor and pioneer of these services, MedicAlert Foundation International is exercising leadership once again to publish this Code as the first step toward the goal of establishing agreed upon global industry standards that put the public’s best interest first.

“As the market leader and a mission-driven nonprofit, MedicAlert Foundation systematically identified the necessary elements needed to comprise effective emergency medical information and identification services,” said Bruce Kimbrey, CEO of MedicAlert® Foundation of Southern Africa.  “Consumers will now have a tool to assess all medical ID products and services, including our own, to help determine what service will work best for them.”

The Code of Conduct is presented as a five-point checklist that consumers can use to determine their individual needs and priorities and evaluate providers of emergency medical information and identification services.  Choosing the best service provider to meet individual needs is increasingly complicated with so many options available in the marketplace.  This five-point checklist emphasizes the areas listed below; guiding consumers with descriptions of the various alternatives and objective pros and cons to consider when selecting  the product and service features best suited to personal needs.  Complementing the checklist is a lengthy Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to help consumers in making educated decisions:

1. Safeguarding and protecting your personal health information
2. High standards for engraving medical ID products
3. Safe and effective medical ID jewelry and products
4. No-fail emergency response services
5. Better standards of business         

Copies of the Code of Conduct and related FAQ may be found at www.medicalert.org  

About MedicAlert Foundation International

Established in 1956, MedicAlert Foundation pioneered the use of medical IDs and systems to relay vital medical information to emergency responders on behalf of its members so they receive faster and safer treatment.  Today, MedicAlert Foundation International services more than four million members in more than 50 countries through its worldwide network of nonprofit affiliated organizations.  MedicAlert Foundation International provides the functionality of an e-health information exchange through an innovative combination of a unique patient identifier linked to a PHR and a live 24/7 emergency response service.  MedicAlert Foundation International medical IDs alert emergency personnel to a member’s primary health conditions, medications or implanted medical devices.  In addition to its 24-hour emergency response service, MedicAlert Foundation International also provides family and caregiver notification so that members can be reunited with their loved ones.  Learn more at: www.medicalert.org/codeofconduct.

About MedicAlert Foundation of Southern Africa

MedicAlert® Foundation of Southern Africa is a registered non-profit membership organisation which was founded in South Africa in 1964. MedicAlert® services are built around a data base of healthcare information maintaining security, privacy and confidentiality. MedicAlert® is the trusted third party custodian of comprehensive personal healthcare information and provides a range of services to its members.

MedicAlert® will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2014 and will celebrate its 10th anniversary as an independent non-profit organisation in 2012. MedicAlert® is a member of the International MedicAlert® International a Consortium of nine members. MedicAlert® Foundation of Southern Africa has been providing services for the past 47 years.

To learn more about MedicAlert® Foundation of Southern Africa please visit www.medicalert.co.za or phone us on +27 21 4257328.

Bruce Kimbrey
CEO: MedicAlert Foundation of Southern Africa
Telephone: +27 21 4257328 ext 204
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

The Board Members dedication and commitment reflects that of the 12 Board members (Directors) five members have a service term of longer than 20 years, and only three members have less than seven years of service

Profile of Board members: A medical doctor and delegates from ER24, PSSA, Diabetes SA and Lions Clubs International.