Resumo
This article aims to describe the extent of an innovative practice for information in emergency situations, the use of medical alert tattoos. In order to do so, an extensive literature review has been carried out in the main medical and sociological databases. The results show that the practice of tattooing is present as a body-text representation. In the field of medicine there are multiple applications of this practice, including medical alert tattoos located in visible parts of the body. There is a lack of legislative framework on this practice, which creates uncertainty about whether health practitioners must meet the tattooed instructions. Among the different applications of medical alert tattoo in the literature the “not resuscitate order” and the diabetic status are the more widespread. The first one creates conflicts with regard to medical action, while in the second one problems related to the recognition by emergency staff arise. More research on the subject involving patients and health personnel is required.