Medvelope Blog

In todays complex modern world of information technology at our finger tips, we all face one extremely important deficiency. In an environmental catastrophe such as an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or winter snow storm, accidents can and will occur. In all probability, when the 911 call is for you and/or your loved ones, no information will be readily available for the “first responders”. Your wallet, purse, or jewelry may be missing and/or inadequate to give vitally important information about your legal and/or medical conditions.

You probably won't have immediate access to your personal medical and/or surgical history, including past tests, past and current medications, allergies to medications, and effective (or ineffective) treatments for chronic conditions. The ability to have your health records readily available online can impact the quality of care you receive during a medical emergency and/or a life altering situation. This is true for individuals of all ages, whether near to and/or away from home, in or out of the USA.

A Personal Health Record (PHR) organizes health information in a secure, password-protected online record. The PHR literally can become instantaneously available 24/7 via the online internet. It can become a vitally important and critically beneficial resource for your healthcare. Personal Health Records (PHR’s) are going to become a critical part of all individuals at any age. In order to minimize medical errors, reduce medical expenses, and save lives, we will need to take advantage of any/all technologies available to us, in order that PHR’s become common place.

Individuals want to take ownership of their healthcare according to several recent studies. The baby boomers have just started to come on board, and the over 55 population will be enormous in a relatively short period of time. We need to be prepared at all levels for maximization of accurate, and safe healthcare. Innovations at many levels as suggested by others will be necessary.

Your PHR can compile detailed insurance information, plus doctors' visits, lab results, various treatments and prescriptions, into a comprehensive record that accurately tells your health history. You can additionally have your own personal information including past medical and surgical health history, specific familial conditions, list of past and present medications, drug interactions, allergies, blood type, or whether you take over-thecounter medications. The important aspect of these online PHR’s are to be HealthCare Newsletter 911 Emergency Calls able to give “first responders” immediate legal and medical information accurately, and immediately for any individuals benefit.

When 911 "first responders" arrive at the scene of a medical emergency and/or life altering situation, in over 90% of the time, they have no legal and/or medical information. There are some companies that allow access to your PHR’s from hospitals, physicians, and specific medical facilities, only with your pre arranged permission. In addition some companies can receive updates from these same treatment providers to keep the legal and medical information updated and accurate 24/7.

The personal information included is protected by The Privacy Rule, part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act a (HIPAA), which protects your health information. Some companies have a web secured site, and a HIPAA secure site for the preservation of the security, and privacy of an individuals legal and medical information. There are some advanced PHRs that offer personalized messages along with alerts, and awareness to take your daily medication dosages in a timely proper manner. There are millions of consumers who can expect to have a basic or more advanced online PHR available to them this year. Personal Health records (PHR) are going to become a critical part of all individuals at any age (infants, students, parents and senior citizens).

In order to minimize medical errors, reduce medical expenses, and save lives, we will need to take advantage of any/all technologies available to us. Individuals want to take ownership of their healthcare according to several recent studies. The baby boomers have just started to come on board and the over 55 population will be enormous in a relatively short period of time.

We need to be prepared at all levels for maximization of healthcare. Innovations at many levels as suggested by others will be necessary. My involvement as Medical Director with a new startup company Medvelope Alert Systems, Inc at www.Medvelope.com. has brought to my attention the importance of PHR’s. There are many reasons to have a PHR, including;