There’s a new TV advertisement from GE out in the last couple of weeks that demonstrates very well the value of electronic medical records (EMRs). If you haven’t seen it already, have a look:
The 911 Family of Products, the 911 Medical ID Card and Medallion, have a goal of working with the new electronic medical records systems mandated by the United States government and other governments around the world. Being able to use your 911 Medical ID to download your records and have them on your person at all times – not just in your doctor’s office or via the Internet – is a valuable bonus to the benefits of the EMRs that are demonstrated in the above commercial.
A new report from healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information says that while many of the heavy hitters in software are involved in the electronic medical records (EMR) market, there is currently no clear leader. Despite products from such companies as IBM, 3M, Dell, and even Wal-Mart, no one company is ahead of the pack.
“No one has closed the deal yet for physician mindshare, at least not yet,” said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. “And that is good news for companies that are considering entering the system with a product that has enhanced functionality.”
Kalorama’s study of the EMR market was conducted in the year since the U.S. government announced incentives for physicians who implement and use EMR in their practices. According to the report, the EMR market is estimated at $13.8 billion in 2009. However, Kalorama estimates that at least seventy percent of that market represents sales to hospitals and health systems. Because of the scale of operation, capital and support needed to service hospitals, large IT companies such as McKesson, Cerner, Eclypsis and MediTech, who were doing business with these customers prior to the EMR incentives, have a fairly strong hold on that segment.
There’s a great post today on the Bradford Scott Medical Blog. Bradford Scott is an IT firm specializing in medical office products and support. They posted a rundown of what doctor’s offices need to be ready for the switchover to electronic medical records (EMRs), and to qualify for stimulus money designed to help in the switchover. If you’re in charge of a doctor’s office that hasn’t made the switch, or if you’re wondering why your doctor is still using paper … take a look:
We’re very excited to announce that the 911 Medical ID Card has been reviewed by CrunchGear! CrunchGear is a blog covering gadgets, gear and computer hardware. It is a part of the TechCrunch Network.
Here’s some of what CrunchGear had to say about the portable personal health record wallet card:
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 following release was issued on January 22, 2010:
Maker of Revolutionary USB Portable Personal Health Record Card Introduces New 911 Medical ID Medallion 911 Medical ID Card & Medallion Help Users Easily Create a Portable Personal Health Record (PHR)
(Louisville, KY) – Just months after introducing the 911 Medical ID™ USB portable personal health record (PHR) wallet card, its maker, MEMI Tech, is launching another revolutionary product. The new 911 Medical ID Medallion™ is designed to be worn around the neck, and includes the same features and functions as the wallet card. The medallion is perfect for use by the elderly, disabled and children.
“It is the thinnest, smallest and lightest portable personal health record USB device ever made, and it offers exactly the same patented and proprietary software and functions as the popular 911 Medical ID Card.,” says MEMI Tech CEO Mark Weiss. “The medallion is designed for those who don’t carry a wallet but need the protection of having their important medical and personal information with them at all times.”
The 911 Medical ID Card, is designed to be carried in a wallet like a credit card, while the new 911 Medical ID Medallion, which weighs less than a quarter-ounce and is the size of a military dog tag, can be worn around the neck on a chain or on the included lanyard. Regardless if you have the card or the medallion, the technology is designed to empower the user to take personal responsibility and control of their health information by creating an electronic portable, personal health record.
A new study by PriceWaterHouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute shows employers are taking a critical look at the services offered by their insurers, and they’re not satisfied with what they’re seeing. One of the most interesting findings is the interest in technology, including personal health records (PHRs):
Interest in personal technology tools such as personal health records and online comparison tools is surging. Nearly half of all employers say it is important for insurers to offer these tools, but less than half are satisfied with what they are getting.
We’re pleased to see the public getting on board with the idea of taking control of their personal health information. We, of course, believe that to be truly useful a PHR needs to be not only easy to use, but also portable. Being able to use a PHR in a doctor’s office is key, but being able to use it in the event of an emergency is critical.
According to preliminary estimates from a U.S. government report, the use of electronic medical records (EMR) in doctor’s offices is indeed increasing. According to a story on TMCnet, the report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) shows four out of every ten office or clinic based physicians is now using EMRs…
43.9 percent of physicians reported using full or partial EMR/EHR systems – not including systems used solely for billing – in office-based practices. About 20.5 percent reported having systems that meet the criteria of a basic system, and 6.3 percent reported using a fully functional system.
The survey indicates that from 2007-2008, physicians use of any EMR system increased by 18.7 percent and the percentage of physicians reporting having systems that meet the criteria of a basic system increased by 41.5 percent. Researchers conclude that the 2009 preliminary estimates did not change significantly from 2008.
A new article puts the blame for the slow pace of electronic medical records adoption squarely on the patient. The article, published on MSNBC and filed from last week’s 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, says the culprit in the delay of digitizing the U.S. healthcare system is lack of demand from the public. Comments on the subject came from experts attending CES to view the latest healthcare gadgets.
Doctors and medical technology executives said Saturday that the biggest hurdle to computerizing health care isn’t tradition or Luddism or bureaucracy — it’s the reluctance of consumers to sign on. Without consumer demand, manufacturers and administrators can’t justify the upfront cost of digitizing patients’ cases and securing their records because they can’t be reasonably sure they’ll recover their investment.
“The health care dollar has really been stretched to the extreme in the United States,” Deepak Ayyagari, director of technology programs for Sharp Laboratories of America, said during a daylong conference on digital health at the annual International Consumer Electronics Show. “We can’t invest further in all the things required because we don’t see a market.”
We at the 911 Family of Products, of course, counter that having a product like the 911 Medical ID Card can make consumer’s lives easier as medical professionals transition to digital records. The goal of the card is to interface with all major doctor’s office record keeping systems. As new EMR systems come online, the card will automatically be updated, at no charge to the cardholder. This allows the user to easily keep up to date and in charge of their health information
To read the rest of the article on MSNBC, click here.
Big news for 911 Medical ID this week! The 911 Medical ID card was named the #1 must pack travel item for familymoons by Honeymoons.com! A familymoon is a honeymoon for blended families. It’s different from a honeymoon in that the kids come along, which obviously brings a unique set of challenges. Here’s what Honeymoons.com had to say:
Keep the entire family safe and up to date with the 911 Medical ID Card is a unique and life-saving new health information storage card all travelers should carry with them. Since most people traveling are not likely to be near your primary care physician, and this card lets you easily take all of your necessary health information along with you, it can be a lifesaver.
Welcome to the first in a series of several podcasts we’ll be producing here at the 911 Family of Products. In this program, we hear from the Mark Weiss, CEO of the 911 Family’s creator, MEMI Tech. Mark gives a great rundown of what the 911 Medical ID Card and Medallion can do, and how they’re important factors in this new world of personal health records and electronic medical records.
Listen online by using the player below, or download the file by using the link below the player.
The goal of 911 Medical ID™ card and medallion is to give consumers a complete and simple way to create a portable personal health record (PHR), protect them from misdiagnoses in emergency situations, and save them time at the doctor's office. To learn more, please visit the 911 Medical ID web site.
There’s a great post today on the Bradford Scott Medical Blog. Bradford Scott is an IT firm specializing in medical office products and support. They posted a rundown of what doctor’s offices need to be ready for the switchover to electronic medical records (EMRs), and to qualify for stimulus money designed to help in the switchover. If you’re in charge of a doctor’s office that hasn’t made the switch, or if you’re wondering why your doctor is still using paper … take a look:
We’re very excited to announce that the 911 Medical ID Card has been reviewed by 
Welcome to the first in a series of several podcasts we’ll be producing here at the 
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