Over 1 million Hurricane Katrina victims lost their vital medical records FOREVER. With alarming predications from forecasters, the fast approaching 2006 Hurricane Season will soon have people in the Gulf Coast States and along the Eastern Seaboard rushing to make preparations. The annual Hurricane Preparation Guides will be heralded in newspapers, websites, radio and TV, providing checklists and urging residents to stock up on drinking water, non-perishable foods, prescriptions, batteries, flashlights, gasoline, plywood, etc. Additional recommendations to secure valuable documents such as insurance policies, birth certificates, and house deeds. But what about vital Medical Records?
Americans have long granted their confidence to their healthcare practitioners to file, store and protect patient’s medical records and history. The detailed records of medical conditions, medications, procedures, and allergies that if not readily available can severely threaten one’s life. But, the horrific property devastation as a result of Hurricane Katrina did not immune medical offices, facilities and hospitals from damage or destruction. Katrina’s wrath prompted Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to state; “There may not have been an experience that demonstrates, for me or the country, more powerfully the need for electronic health records than Katrina.”
As Hurricane season approaches, securing important documents such as medical records can be a dauntingly difficult and time-consuming task as these documents are not in your possession. Procuring these records from numerous healthcare providers can be complicated and expensive.
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 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 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.”