Toting Medical Info

[Noreen]

Carrying the medical information any specialist will decide needs is a nightmare for me. I never know how I am going to feel that day - never mind by the time I get out of the car and get into the office. I carry a zippered binder, with outside folder, containing the most recent stuff but with fatigue and dexterity issues, etc. I still have difficulty getting something out in the 5 seconds of time we seem to have.

I ran across this. It runs $21 ($20 plus $5 shpg minus $4 current discount).

Medical History wristband

I can't tell how the information backs up however. One thing I would not want to do is put the information in and have to recreate it yet again in another format or file.

Does this sound good?

How does everyone deal with the sheer volume of medical information we have? The more detailed answers the better as I am having a bad day cognitively.

Thanks.

[maggie]

I also had this problem with too many medical issues to be put on a medical bracelet. I found online a meditag that I can upload all the medical records any dr would need for me in case of an emergency. It comes on a long cloth and can be worn around the neck or just stick it in your purse. All the dr has to do is put the devise into a computer and use word perfect to print out my medical records, dr's numbers, and anything else they would need to know in order to treat me. I hope this helps you.

Maggie

[Simmy]

Reen - That is actually quite ingenious and relatively inexpensive. Thanks. Basically, it's just a portable usb drive with included software, but they made it wearable, medically identifiable, and waterproof. I also like the fact that it looks like a medical ID band. Very cool.

It seems you simply enter all your vital information on your pc or laptop using their included software, then upload it to the band and you're good to go. The website did not mention password protection so it is possible that, during an emergency situation, a medical professional could, not only view but also edit your data, but even in that rare circumstance you could always overwrite it with your original data stored on your own computer. I guess you could also use it for visits to new doctors, provided they're in the 21st century too.

Personally, I have my info in ICE (In Case of Emergency) on the home page of my cellphone, but that's limited to only the vitals. As far as seeing new doctors, I carry a bunch of folders, but that will change once I get this device. It'll take some time to enter all the data, but it's worth it. Thanks for finding it.

[Simmy]

Actually, after further reading on their website I found this:

"The CARE Medical History Bracelet was designed so personal profile data on the bracelet is your medical history and is a read only HTML file that cannot be altered."

...and I just ordered mine. Thanks Reen.

[Noreen]

Reen - That is actually quite ingenious and relatively inexpensive. Thanks. Basically, it's just a portable usb drive with included software, but they made it wearable, medically identifiable, and waterproof. I also like the fact that it looks like a medical ID band. Very cool.

It seems you simply enter all your vital information on your pc or laptop using their included software, then upload it to the band and you're good to go. The website did not mention password protection so it is possible that, during an emergency situation, a medical professional could, not only view but also edit your data, but even in that rare circumstance you could always overwrite it with your original data stored on your own computer. I guess you could also use it for visits to new doctors, provided they're in the 21st century too.

Personally, I have my info in ICE (In Case of Emergency) on the home page of my cellphone, but that's limited to only the vitals. As far as seeing new doctors, I carry a bunch of folders, but that will change once I get this device. It'll take some time to enter all the data, but it's worth it. Thanks for finding it.

I thought it looked good especially if one were to ever lose consciousness. I, fortunately, have enough warning but with this craziness who is to know when that will change.

I guess my only concern is do you have to keep buying a new one from them every few years in the event something happens. Simmy can you report back any drawbacks you notice with it. I am almost thinking it is easier to get two and send one with Social Security Disability paperwork.

[flop]

There are several different ways to "carry" your medical information so that it is available in an emergency.

1) a medical alert necklace or bracelet with info engraved on it

2) a USB memory stick either a special wristband one as in the posts above or an ordinary USB stick with a medical logo / charm attached

3) a necklace or bracelet giving an emergency telephone number to a service who hold your data and can fax it to the hospital

4) an online medical record maintained by yourself with the access details on a bracelet / necklace.

I used to have a necklace with a special telephone number to an ambulance control desk who held my basic medical details. However I had to pay an annual subscription of ?20 to remain a member, also changing my information was a hassle as I had to write a letter to the ambulance service.

I now have a bracelet from a different company who offer both the telephone service but also a website (my online medical record) where I can upload my own medical information and scans of ECGs etc. The URL and access code are both on the bracelet and best of all there is no annual charge.

Flop

[sj75]

anyone know if they ship to the uk?

Flop, can you give me more details of the company you use??

[Noreen]

Actually, after further reading on their website I found this:

"The CARE Medical History Bracelet was designed so personal profile data on the bracelet is your medical history and is a read only HTML file that cannot be altered."

...and I just ordered mine. Thanks Reen.

I just ordered one too, simmy.

I am going to rely on you, though, if I have any questions, pretty please.

[Simmy]

Soytinly!

[cnm1]

As a clinician, there is one problem with this system, many health care systems have strict rules regarding the downloading data from outside sources. I had a pt come in one of these recently and I could not use it. Fortunately it was not important for her visit. My D has a bracelet that has the phone # of medicalert. One phone call and they have all the info. It also provides a card that haas all her infor on it - she offers it to be copy at new doc.

Louise

[Noreen]

As a clinician, there is one problem with this system, many health care systems have strict rules regarding the downloading data from outside sources. I had a pt come in one of these recently and I could not use it. Fortunately it was not important for her visit. My D has a bracelet that has the phone # of medicalert. One phone call and they have all the info. It also provides a card that haas all her infor on it - she offers it to be copy at new doc.

Louise

Hi Louise -

Does opening the file constitute dowloading data? It is a read only file designed to be of use in an emergency. I plan on using it as an organization tool and print out the information. If I am able to carry a netbook, I've had docs grab it and look at the info that way. a netbook is easier to carry for me then an 18 page lab report which only one doctor would want the full thing but some others might want some.

It just gets real tricky carrying the water I need, the earplugs to block out waiting room sounds, the sunglasses to block out light, the 3 to 8 braces for the various joints that may or may not go out on my way due to the hypermobility issues and we haven't hit meds or medical records yet. It is a lot easier to stay home since the likelihood that the medical professional I am on my way to see will actually help me is less than 20%.

[flop]

The company I used for my most recent alert bracelet is called Universal Medical ID they operate several websites. The USA site is http://www.americanmedical-id.com/ and the UK site is http://www.universalmedicalid.co.uk/.

Their webiste where you can store all your medical information is called Online Medical Registry (www.myOMR.com).

Some doctors / hospitals are not allowed to put things like USB drives into their computers for fear of getting a computer virus, it should be safer for them to log into a website but still might not be allowed. For me it is a useful place to store records from many different hospitals.

All of my essential information is engraved directly on the bracelet, it reads:

Front

Autonomic Dysfunction

Syncope, POTS

Ehlers-Danlos III

Hypermobility Type

Asthma, Allergies

Back

www.myOMR.com XXXXXXX

Name Name Surname

DoB NHS number

Epi-Pen carried

Flop

[hensor]

Thanks Flop. I have a basic medical tag, but I can't fit all my info on it so I will be saving up for a universal medical ID

[flop]

Hi HEnsor,

my previous alert necklace was quite pretty and silver plated but I managed to become allergic to whatever metal was underneath the silver plate - only I could be allergic to an allergy alert necklace!!!

I knew that I would have to pay a lot for a solid gold or solid silver bracelet which I can't afford. So I got a stainless steel one and am really happy with it, it doesn't look cheap and nasty just functional. I think that one bracelet was ?19 then they had an offer to buy more at half price so I treated myself to a fabric sports band for the gym and a necklace so that I can wear whatever goes best with my outfit.

Flop

[Simmy]

Hey Reen,

I finally received my bracelet today. Did you get yours yet?

I like it. It Looks cool, it's comfortable and it does what it says. Mine came with the software in the bracelet without a separate CD, so I just plugged it into my PC, clicked the setup and started to copy-paste my health information from existing computer files. It's all self explanatory and easy to add additional diseases and information not preassigned. Once you enter all (or part) of your history, you click 'save to the bracelet' and it places a read-only html file onto the bracelet drive.

The only problem I found is that besides the html file it places into the bracelet, you also end up with the original software still inside, which you don't want there. An easy solution is, after installing the software onto your computer and before creating the html file, go to My Computer, right-click on the bracelet drive and click Explore, then copy the setup.exe and folder into a backup folder somewhere on your computer for safe keeping or for later reinstallation, then delete everything on the bracelet drive. What you end up with is a blank 128mb mini storage drive in your bracelet. Once you create the html file it will be the only thing on the bracelet, leading to less confusion when a medical professional opens it, as they will see only one thing to click on, and they don't need the software to view it.

After loading all of my information I noticed I only used about 30mb, so there's a lot more storage space available on the drive should I decide to add additional folders or files, perhaps containing scans of other records. As long as I name them appropriately, it could work well. Which reminds me, when the html file is created and placed on the bracelet it is automatically named something like "firstname_lastname_medical_history". You can easily rename it if you want to something like "My Medical Records".

I understand the hesitation to insert a stranger's plug into your port for fear of catching a disea... umm, virus, but I imagine all medical computers run anti-virus software and I doubt they'd hesitate to insert a medical bracelet in an emergency situation. As far as doctors offices, one click from your computer prints out the entire file before you go.

It also helps to wear a blatantly obvious medical bracelet in public so people don't wonder so much why I'm squatting for no apparent reason.

[maggie]

In regards to this issue I would advise you to call your local hospital and emergency services. I called mine in regards to this bracelet and under no circumstances would they use this devise, even if I was dying. The hospital symtoms won't even let these devises into their computers and the emergency services have no equipment on board to use this either. I called the company to ask them if they knew where in the US they would take this and the gentleman I talked to stated a small area around N Carolina. He instructed me to call my area to see if they would use the devise. I sent my bracelet back upopened since it could not be used where I lived. I hope you get a better response, but I would call in your area to make sure it can be used, or else you're relying on something that won't work. I now carry my important medical records with me and I wear a medical bracelet stating where my important medical information is. It seems backwords in this day and age of electronics, but we have to be careful and make sure what we use for our condition works.

Maggie

[Noreen]

It also helps to wear a blatantly obvious medical bracelet in public so people don't wonder so much why I'm squatting for no apparent reason.

Thanks a bunch, simmy.

I was a day or so later ordering so it is probably in today's mail.

And remember the one liner - "Are you accusing me of medical bracelet fraud?" if anyone is daft enough to say anything.

[Noreen]

In regards to this issue I would advise you to call your local hospital and emergency services. I called mine in regards to this bracelet and under no circumstances would they use this devise, even if I was dying. The hospital symtoms won't even let these devises into their computers and the emergency services have no equipment on board to use this either. I called the company to ask them if they knew where in the US they would take this and the gentleman I talked to stated a small area around N Carolina. He instructed me to call my area to see if they would use the devise. I sent my bracelet back upopened since it could not be used where I lived. I hope you get a better response, but I would call in your area to make sure it can be used, or else you're relying on something that won't work. I now carry my important medical records with me and I wear a medical bracelet stating where my important medical information is. It seems backwords in this day and age of electronics, but we have to be careful and make sure what we use for our condition works.

Maggie

Maggie-

Thanks for the heads up. It does seem totally warped that they can't insert a USB storage device but there it is -

Wonder if we could each get our own UPC code and they could scan us -

the system is unworkable the way it is - it is harder than ever to get records from docs as they transfer over. I don't have the energy to call and call and follow up - if I do that, I cannot eat or clean up after my son. Going to get them and carrying them in the heat takes another three days out of me.