Welcome to Implant Card Info
Many pacemaker and stent cards are foldable to allow for a lot of information to fit on them
Many patients with metal hardware, such as metal prostheses or plates, are concerned about clearing security points at airports. Potential problems after setting off a metal detector can be incontinent and embarrassing and has the potential of delaying travel or necessitating a full body cavity search.
I doubt a simply printed card will alleviate all problems, but it may ease tension with some over zealous TSA (Travel Security Agency) agents and give patients a little piece of mind.
In the past, the TSA site mentioned the use of Implant Cards on their site, suggesting that they have an interest in facilitating the screening process of folks with implants - or at least avoid catastrophic problems with folks with cardiac implants. They no longer mention the use of implant cards for anything except pacemakers, could potentially be affected by x-ray machines. They do "recommend (but not required) that you advise the Security Officer that you have an implanted pacemaker, other implanted medical device, or metal implant and where that implant is located." Patients with and without cards should expect a "private screening."
Orthocard and a few other companies (see links below) even offer printing services for orthopedic specialties who would like to provide a really fancy looking card for their patients.
These fancy cards also work as business cards. Patients who travel a lot or feel they need to carry these cards are more likely to keep one of these in their wallet than a regular business card.
See our wonderful Implant Card Power Point on this topic.
Links: