On average, 195,000 American’s Die due to Medical Errors
Each year in US, about 195,000 people die due to potentially preventable, in-hospital medical errors, according to a recent study of 37 million patient records by HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings, information, and advisory services company. On average, medication errors alone increased hospital costs by $2.8 million annually, and medical errors as a whole are estimated at $29 billion per year.
According to Dr. Barbara Starfield of the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, medical errors are the third leading cause of death, following only heart disease and cancer. Forty-two percent of people believe they have personally experienced a medical mistake, according to a phone survey by the National Patient Safety Foundation.
Medical errors can be fatal and cause “the equivalent of 390 jumbo jets full of people dying each year,” according to Dr. Samantha Collier, VP of Medical Affairs at HealthGrades. These preventable situations may have been averted if medical personnel had access to vital, up-to-date medical information. MedeFile provides the solution to these medical technology needs.
Cedar Knolls, NJ-based MedeFile International introduces a new, cost-effective solution that is safe and secure for patients that desire to be in control of their vital lifetime medical records. This new service provides customers, doctors, emergency room doctors, EMTs, etc., secure access to medical records 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from virtually anywhere in the world.
Upon subscription and authorization, MedeFile personnel contact and collect all medical records from health practitioners designated. As duplicate medical records are received, they are digitized and stored in the MedeVault, a highly protected, controlled access computerized records facility. Members are then issued a MedeDrive, a small external, portable USB key that contains emergency medical information as well as other medical information and records. The MedeDrive is attached to a standard key ring, similar to the new ATM cards, so as can be carried by the member at all times. In case of emergency, healthcare providers, EMTs and ER doctors can immediately view an overview of the member’s emergency information such current medications, allergies and emergency contacts, while limiting access to the full medical records till authorization.
Any changes to a member’s medical conditions, medications or patient information can be easily updated by visiting the MedeFile website for upload. Important health and medical information will be available when needed most, providing emergency medical personnel and doctors with up-to-date information that can save a member’s life in an emergency situation.
“If doctors or emergency personnel don’t have the up-to-date medical records on a person being treated, that could be very dangerous in the long run,” said Kevin Hauser, Director of Business Development at MedeFile. “With MedeFile, no matter where you are or who’s treating you, that personal medical information is now available to them instantly.”