The Code Amber Alertag—How Lifespire is Working to Revolutionize Emergency Care

August 3, 2011, New York, N.Y.—Lifespire, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping developmentally disabled individuals reach their life’s aspirations, is working to release a new version of the Code Amber Alertag which will help accelerate the treatment and care of those in need, and potentially save hundreds of lives.

Similar to a card you would receive from a local supermarket, the tag features a QR code, however instead of granting the individual access to savings, the QR code grants access to vital medical history. When the QR code is scanned by a Smartphone or any electronic device with a scanning capability, the link will open to the individual’s very general medical history—including name, address, and emergency point of contact. The first responder will be able to connect with the emergency contact, and be given the PIN. If the PIN is provided, the physician or first responder will have access to a wealth of information such as a detailed medical history, current and past medications, family contact information, their healthcare proxy, and their service provider.

“It’s a powerful and potentially life-saving tool for an individual to carry,” said Mark van Voorst, Chief Executive Officer of Lifespire. “If a person is unable to speak, is unconscious, or is simply confused and lost, the first responder will have almost instant access to critical information which could make a difference in saving someone’s life.”

As the healthcare and pharmaceutical worlds shift to electronic health records and better IT systems, this new tag will replace hours of phone calls, the sending of documents and anxiety in the wait for information access. In addition, large providers will have the ability to add their logo and their contact information as the emergency contact for many of the individuals they care for.

Potentially one of the first organizations on the east coast to release this new technology, Lifespire is looking to release the new Code Amber Alertag in the fall of 2011. For more information about the Tag or Lifespire and those they serve, please log onto www.lifespire.org.