Portable Medical Records

Everyone should keep a personal file of relevant medical information, including test dates and results, inoculation dates, dates of medical procedures, injuries and illnesses, and a list of medications you currently take. If you consolidate all of the information into one document, you can take it with you to new doctors’ appointments and keep it in your emergency-preparation bag if you need to evacuate your home. The records are also helpful if you are taken to an emergency room and you are unable to communicate.

There are companies that allow you to keep your medical information on the internet so that you, and anyone you authorize, can access the files. One of those companies, iHealth, also has a list of physicians who participate in the program. Your information is password protected and you can create an audit trail to see who has accessed the account. One of the features allows you to create a wallet card that provides basic identification and emergency contact information. The website also offers patient education programs and reminders specific to your medical conditions: http://www.ihealthrecord.org/index.html

If you have a family, you should keep the same information for each family member. It’s a good idea to keep a file for pets, too.

Organized by Marcie: Getting you organized so you have time to do what you love to do!