Keep Medical Records with you -- on a USB

MIsurvivorX6
  • By MIsurvivorX6 · June 29, 2010 at 8:53 pm · 15 replies
  • In Advice for other women with heart disease
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On a previous post from Mary, she suggested putting medical records on a USB. I thought it was a great idea so I'm starting this post with many thanks to her. :)

You could attach the USB to your keychain or easily keep it in your handbag.

I already have two USB's full of my research and medical journal articles relating to coronary artery spasm, but it never hit me to put my medical records on one, too! I currently have 3-ring binders w/tabs to store my hard copies of my medical records along with the CDs from all my caths. I also plan to put the films of the four caths I've had on it, too.

Name and date files accordingly. EKGs, Cath Reports, Lab Reports, Hospital Records, Office Visit Reports, etc.

I've had troubles with doctors either not reading my medical records, or the medical records not being accessible or complete when I have been hospitalized. Granted, in an emergency situation they start with the "here and now," but there is every good reason they may need patient history to make some decisions to improve health outcomes of heart patients whether for immediate or on-going treatment.

Contrary to my mother's belief, you are allowed access to your medical records! Just sign the privacy form and reason for need of records (I just write "for continued care"). Some doctor offices/institutions just hand them over with no charge or questions. I was surprised how easy it was to get CDs of all my caths and echos with no charge and a smile. On the other hand, some hospitals have guard dogs in the medical records department and are sure to charge me for copies and question why I need them.

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15 replies   

Kennarina

This is such a great idea! It won't address those docs who don't read your medical records anway (if they don't read the hard copies, they're not likely to download them off a computer to read them!) but to have them all complete upon hospital admission - that would be very good.

I also think it's wise to stress that having your USB on your keychain or in the purse is ONLY for when you are conscious and walking into the hospital! In an emergency situation, paramedics and E.R. staff will NOT start rummaging through your purse or keychain. All of your friends and family must know about your USB, and how to find it in case you are unable to communicate.

That's why each of us MUST have a MedicAlert bracelet or dogtag on at all times.

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

MIsurvivorX6

K ~

The docs did not even read my records that were available at their (or interns) fingertips at the hospital computer in front of their face . . .

Thanks for reminder to let family and friends know. I also print my medical alert card for hubby, sister, heart sister, and my desk drawer at work where some co-workers know where it's kept. The paramedics & ER staff loved it. You are right, I have copies of that med card on my keychain, in my wallet, and in a pocket with my nitrospray, but I really should get a bracelet.

MaryLG

I carry my driver's license, my meds card and my nitro in a bright red sunglasses soft waterproof zip case attached to my car keys. It's made of fabric so it weighs nothing, and then my little nitro cannister isn't so obvious. (BTW - I keep the bottle in the little screw cannister, as it's come open 2x just rolling around in there).

I've thought I could improve this by spray painting a medical symbol stencil (caduceus) on the case. Being bright red and large enough, it's hard to lose. It would be easy to sew a rectangle with a velcro flap. (Hey, there's a business idea!) I should put something in my ID window that says "all info attached to keys", or something like that.

That way, I take it with me everywhere and I can clip it to my jeans or put it on the treadmill when I work out at the gym.

I know I need to add the USB inside of it, and I need a bracelet, too, but it's what I've done so far. I'll get on this soon.

Thank you, MIx5 for posting this! Mary

Crystal724

I got a med alert bracelet with a USB in it. It came pre-loaded with software. I just filled in my info. I paid like $30 for it at drugstore.com.

Crystal

MIsurvivorX6

Crystal~

We learn so much from each other. Thanks for sharing and thanks to WomenHeart & Inspire for this site. Do you know how much memory that USB has? I plan to Google around for it.

Take care & thanks!

heartsurvivor2

ladies I am a vol. Jacksonville Community Emergency Response team member who vol's with ur fire/rescue dept in case of any type of emergencies. we learned at a drill in 2009 that they canot see the Medical alert tags, braclets, necklaces through there masks. we had one man who went into a bad sugar low nd he tapped his wrist nd then the fire fighter he told them they canot se those things through there masks. Suprising there.i also kep an index card on my visior toow ith medications, blood type, allergies too sometimes they forget to check cellphone for ICE ( In case of emergency) They leave that to police. backin 1994 the poice told e I cld callmy hubby from the hospitial ER truama room after we got downh there when a car knocked me of my bike ARGH. yes the USB sounds great need to order me a medical alet braclet too. where was it that y got yr braclet nd USB too that would be great to do too.. iiane

Crystal724

I got the bracelet with USB from drugstore.com. Then I printed up emergency medical ID cards and laminated them. Those were at medid.com.

Kennarina

That's interesting about firefighters not seeing tags and bracelets through their masks! Hopefully, they'd drag you out of the burning building pronto and outside over to the ambulances where paramedics (without masks!) ARE able to see your urgent medicAlert info.

Once again, any info kept in keychains, wallets, purses or pocket is NOT likely to be found, even by paramedics without masks!

If you do a search here (above right) for MedicAlert I.D. you'll likely find several topics from the past on this subject, including several posts from first responders who stressed the point that during an emergency 911 response, they do not dig through people's pockets and purses for this kind of info.

So let's make it easier for them to help by letting our MedicAlert bracelets/tags do the talking for us when we cannot communicate!

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

MIsurvivorX6

I used to laminate my med alert card, but since my meds are in a constant state of change, I gave up on the laminating. :)

Are med lists easy to update via the medical alert bracelet service?

DebBar

I bought a USB at a bike rally last year for $25; it came with a strap so it can be worn around the neck. Like an idiot, I haven't finished filling in all the info. A lot of bikers use these and keep them in the unlocked pocket on the fairing.

All my med ids and list of medications are in my billfold and I always wear a medical bracelet. TODAY I WILL FINISH entering all the info on the USB! I got mine from usbmedid.com.

Deb

heartsurvivor2

yep I am a vol along with hubby if we see any type of ER we go do first aide etc till fire or police get there we are trained in first siade, triage etc too and yes we do check for Medic aleert tage theyare tagged RED first to go and if any green walking wonded they are there to help us if they can. but yes after they are ut the Paramedica helps out and do it too. but in other states the firefighteres might ot have that problem. willbe getting a USB card too and cary it with me. also good to do with husehold inventory etc for our grab and go bags tooin case of any type of ER.

DaylilyFan

If I understand correctly, the major advantage to a USB is the enormous capacity for a great many records and its easy accessibility on a key ring or bracelet.

But I imagine a disadvantage would be that the EMS squad surely wouldn't have access (or time) to plug the UBS into a computer. The situation in the ER ought to be different, of course.

This discussion brings up a question about the medical ID bracelets. Does anyone know if the EMS squad notices them, especially the more decorative ones?

MIsurvivorX6

Daylilly~

Ditto on your question about EMS noticing the fancy bracelet. I know somene who has a beautiful and expensive med id bracelet that was custom made by a jeweler. I've wondered about that, too.

I want my med records on my USB so that my family or I can hand to doctors in hospitals or during doctor visits, or to have handy to send to Mayo. I would never expect an EMT/Paramedic to view info on a USB either.

I was hospitalized last week and it was unsettling that the rounding staff did not read my records, and come to find out there were only records for me dating back 9 months. And my complete records had been provided 4 years ago.

jstull

I've been reading these posts about carrying your medical records on a USB flash drive--great idea!

There is a new product out there I saw on a program called The Doctors a few months ago that looked pretty cool. It's called the 911 Medical ID card. It's thin enough to fit in your wallet like a credit card. It has a fold-out USB connector thingy that's actually embedded in the card. You plug it into your computer, enter all your medical data including allergies, emergency contacts, prescription drugs, your doctors' contact info, past surgeries you've had and a lot more--you can even upload your medical documents like EKGs, X-rays, and lab reports right onto the card! If you have a medical emergency, the ER techs or docs can just plug the USB into their computer and get your full medical history so they know how to treat you without risking making a mistake, like giving you a drug you're allergic to, or one that could have a bad interaction with a drug you're already taking. Your data is password protected for privacy, which I like. It also comes with emergency alert stickers that you can put on your wallet or drivers license so ER knows where your medical history is on your person. It's reasonably priced, too. If you're interested, check out their website: 911medicalid.com.

MIsurvivorX6

Thanks! I'll check this one out, too.

I ended up in the ER and admitted yet AGAIN on July 4th. My sister brought my 3-ring binder to the hospital since I had not yet put on USB.

When the rounding cardiologist came and sat down to talk to me, I handed my medical record notebook over to him and he started reading right away. I'm not so sure he would have gone for the USB thing. He actually listened to me and we had a lengthy conversation. He also performed the cath later.

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