Mount Sinai South Nassau supports Age-Friendly care using SCC MedQR Bracelets
As New York’s population ages, the provision of high-quality, safe, reliable and person-centered care for older adults is essential to keeping communities healthy. As part of its commitment to Age-Friendly care, Mount Sinai South Nassau implemented SCC MedQR Bracelets to support older adult patients beyond the hospital’s walls.
The SCC MedQR Bracelet is an innovative, wearable solution that enables clinicians and first responders to access critical health information instantly when patients are unable to communicate, regardless of care setting. By scanning a QR code on the bracelet, the provider can access the patient’s secure, personalized health profile, which can include advance directives and emergency contacts — who are automatically notified via email when the bracelet is scanned. The bracelet provides individualized care preferences, ensuring that care teams understand what matters most to the patient, even in urgent situations.
Profiles also include essential medical data such as medical history, allergies, medications, fall risk and mobility restrictions. This is particularly valuable for older adults who may experience cognitive impairment, delirium or acute illness, enabling clinicians to quickly identify baseline mentation and respond appropriately to changes in mental status. The bracelets are offered free to ensure accessibility.
Patients and families control the health information, updating profiles as needed through the SCC MedQR platform. Optional MedQR stickers may be placed on dashboards or refrigerators to alert emergency personnel that a QR-enabled medical bracelet is worn.
So far, 300 SCC MedQR Bracelets have been purchased and distributed in outpatient settings through a collaborative effort with the hospital’s external affairs staff. Distribution occurs at community events, concerts and senior centers, expanding access to older adults living in the community and supporting safe, informed care beyond the hospital walls.
For more information, contact Dana Sanneman, vice president, public affairs and development, at dana.sanneman@mountsinai.org.
