Short Version: A $40 digital ID card that fits in your wallet and holds all of your emergency medical information on a 1GB flip-out USB stick.
Review:
Aside from the implied use for the 911 Medical ID Card — namely as something for medical professionals to reference in the case of an emergency — having all of your medical information digitized and saved in one place isn’t a bad idea overall. And this $40 wallet-friendly card isn’t a bad way to keep everything together.
You plug the flip-out USB connector into your computer (Windows only, unfortunately) and up pops the 911 Medical ID software. It’s basically a series of forms with the following tabbed headings: Personal, Conditions, Medications, Allergies, Doctors/Dentists, Surgeries/Treatments, Insurance, and Family History/Social History.
The forms are easy to use and all the information can be saved online in case you misplace the card. You can also print the information out as well.
The card itself is pretty thin, although it’s still a bit thicker than the cards you’re normally used to keeping in your wallet so you’ll likely have to give it its own pouch.
As for the interface, it’s nothing spectacular but, hey, this is medical software we’re talking about. As we all know, the medical industry has never once employed a UI specialist.
Aside from holding your medical information, you can also use the extra storage on the card to hold images of your EKGs, MRIs, and X-Rays if your doctor’s made those available to you in digital form. You can store the files protected or unprotected under the “My Files” section. And if you’re the head of your household, you can put all your family members’ information (up to 10 people) on the same card, too, under the “My Family Profiles” section.
Conclusion:
The 911 Medical ID Card represents an affordable way to collect all of your medical information in once place. The online backup function is a huge plus and the ability to add extra family members and files are added bonuses as well. The interface is a bit dated and the lack of Mac compatibility is unfortunate but the whole idea is a step in the right direction.
The bigger issue will be whether or not emergency medical professionals will be able to easily access the information. Without having a computer handy at the site of an accident, for instance, your information’s locked up until you get to the hospital. And even then, you’re relying on someone to plug a strange USB device into one of the hospital’s computers. Aside from that, though, this is a pretty easy way to carry all of your vital health information around with you.
The 911 Medical ID card is available for $40. There’s also a new 911 Medical ID Medallion that can be worn around the neck and has 2GB of built-in storage for the same price.
Product Page: 911 Medical ID