Medical History Computer Device Planned

Big News Network.com
January 6, 2005

MedicAlert, a non-profit company known for health care information bracelets, plans to market a USB device that can store personal medical records.

Introducing the device at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. MedicAlert said the product would be of particular value to first responders such as paramedics and hospital physicians. They would be able to insert the USB drive into any computer and immediately gain access to an overview of a person's information, CNETNews.com said.

Updates to the health records stored on the device can be made by a patient and other people authorized by the person to do so, such as physicians or pharmacists.

The device, dubbed the Personal HealthKey, is expected in stores during the first half of this year. Price will be in the $50 to $75 range, MedicAlert said.