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Southwest Florida residents still have time before the peak of hurricane season to store their medical records in an electronic format and end their worries that their records could get destroyed or lost in a storm.
Personal health records in an electronic format can be portable and safe today from prying eyes.
Ideally, personal health records are a consolidated record of the individual’s medical history and personal information. Having your record is important because patients visit many medical centers and doctors.
Patients automatically assume that each hospital or medical center has safely stored their records but the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in New Orleans told a different story. An estimated 1 million people lost their medical records because of Katrina’s damage, according to the federal government.
Having one’s medical records in an electronic format can include everything from immunizations to allergies, from recent surgeries to family histories.
Here are some companies and websites that have information for how to make the transition from paper records to electronic:
■ What is a Personal Health Record? www.myphr.com
■ Personal Health Records, A Tool for Managing Your Health, www.mayoclinic
■ MedeFile International, www.medefile.com
■ Records For Living Inc., www.recordsforliving.com
■ Health-Minder, www.health-minder.com
■ myMediConnect, www.passportmd.com
■ Personal Medical Records on a Portable Medical Alert Key, www.myliferecord.com
■ Electronic Medical Records, www.medicalrecords.com
■ Patient Ally, www.patientally.com
2012 SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HURRICANE GUIDE
Before the storm
- Play it safe, be prepared
- Start early to make trees storm-safe
- Take steps to minimize damage to pool area
- Storm prep vital for boats, boaters
- Protect your loved ones and history
- Plan ahead to get into special needs shelter
- Keep medical records safe by storing them electronically
- Be thorough before, after hurricane to ensure coverage
- Hurricane Andrew 20-year anniversary
- Have a plan for evacuation
- Generator safety crucial before use
- Types of window protection
- Types of hurricane intensity
During the storm
- Stay safe by heeding these weather tips
- Be alert to these road projects during 2012 hurricane season
After the storm
- What is the best way to repair your roof?
- Check out contractors before you hire someone to do repairs
Marco Island Academy ribbon cutting
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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