Electronic medical information card and system and method of use

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to providing personal medical information to first responders during an emergency through the use of electronic storage devices and the internet.

During a medical emergency, time is of the essence for a patient to receive the proper care from first responders. In such instances it is important that first responders are aware of a patient's medical history including allergies to drugs, current medications and medical conditions. It also becomes necessary to have the patient's emergency contact information and physician contact information. In many instances patients are unconscious and unable to provide any information to first responders. Conventional methods of providing such information include medical identification bracelets which may list an individual's allergies or medical conditions. However, only a limited amount of information can be included on such bracelets. There have also been attempts to store an individual's medical information on electronic storage devices such as flash drives or radio frequency identification cards (“RFID”) in the past. However, many of these devices are complicated to use and to store information on. In addition, many of these devices are carried in wallets or on key chains and can easily be missed by a first responder. In addition, such devices may be damaged in certain situations, such as if the devices become wet during a medical emergency involving water or if the devices are near flames. A further problem with conventional devices occurs if an individual is injured in a foreign country, thereby rendering the electronic storage device useless because the information stored on the device is not written in the first responder's native language.

Therefore, the need exists for a personal medical information card and system and method of use that allows a user to easily store medical information on the card, has a card that is easily identifiable by a first responder as being a medical information card, is protectable from water and fire and allows a foreign language speaking first responder to read the information stored on the card.

The relevant prior art includes the following references:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an electronic medical information card and system and method of use that allows a user to easily store personal and medical information on the card.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic medical information card that is easily identifiable by a first responder as being a medical information card.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an electronic medical information card and system and method of use that protectable from water and fire.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an electronic medical information card for storing emergency medical information, such as blood type, allergies, medical conditions, present medications, age, doctor information and emergency contact information. The card is preferably a secure digital (“SD”) card or other electronic smart card having an electronic storage means. The card is stored in a brightly colored storage sleeve to attract the attention of medical personnel. The sleeve is removably attachable to a user's driver's license, wallet, purse and so forth so that it may be easily seen by a first responder. In addition, the storage sleeve is water proof and fire resistant to protect the electronic medical information card from becoming damaged. The information on the electronic medical information card may be updated by an individual over the internet by sending updated information to a central location that updates the information in a central database and allows the user to download the updated information back onto the electronic medical information card. An additional feature of the card allows a first responder to translate the information stored on the electronic medical information card into the first responder's native language.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic medical information card and storage sleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of an electronic medical information card and storage sleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an individual signing up for an account with a service provider that provides a medical information card to the individual;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the system and method of the present invention in which an individual enters medical information into an online account; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the system and method of the present invention in which a first responder retrieves medical information from a patient's medical information card.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a front view and a rear view, respectively, of an electronic medical information card 1 and storage sleeve 2 of the present invention is shown. The electronic medical information card 1 allows an individual to store emergency medical information, such as blood type, allergies, medical conditions, present medications, age, doctor information and emergency contact information. The medical information card is preferably a secure digital (“SD”) card 3 or other electronic smart card having an electronic storage means, such as a radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) chip. The medical information card 1 is stored in a storage sleeve 2 comprising a front panel 4 attached to a rear panel 5 along a bottom edge 6, and two side edges 7. An opening 8 is locate along a top edge 9 of the storage sleeve 2 for inserting the electronic 4 medical information card 1 through. A sealing means 10, such as adhesive 11, zip lock and so forth, is located along the opening 8 to seal the storage sleeve 2 shut. The storage sleeve 2 is preferably brightly colored to attract the attention of medical personnel and has a label portion 12 that informs a first responder that a medical information card 1 is inside the storage sleeve 2. The storage sleeve 2 may be removably attachable via an attachment means 13, such as an adhesive 14, to a user's driver's license, wallet, purse and so forth so that it may be easily seen by a first responder when a first responder goes to retrieve a patients driver's license. In addition, the storage sleeve 2 is preferably water proof and fire resistant to protect the medical information card 1 from becoming damaged if a patient is exposed to water and/or fire.

With reference to FIG. 3, a flow chart showing an individual signing up for an account with a service provider that provides a medical information card to the individual. First, the individual visits the service provider's website 15. Then, the individual provides the service provider with his or her contact information, which includes the individual's name, address, phone number, email address and so forth 16. The service provider then reviews the contact information to determine the accuracy of the information and the validity of the information 17. If the information is determined to not be accurate or to be invalid 18, then the individual is sent notification, preferably via email, that an account has been denied 19. If the information is determined to be accurate and valid 20, then the individual is sent an approval, preferably via email, that an account has been created and the individual is provided with a username and password 21. Next, the individual is sent a package that includes instructions and a medical information card 22.

With reference to FIG. 4, a flow chart showing the system and method of the present invention in which an individual enters medical information into an online account is shown. First, the individual logs into his or her account using the username and password provided by the service provider 23. Then, the individual enters his or her medical information 24, which includes medications 25, emergency contacts 26, medical conditions 27, allergies 28, physician contact information 29, family history information 30 and so forth. The medical information is then stored in the individual's personal account on a central database 31. The medical information may then be downloaded on the individual's medical information card 32 by downloading a zip file, which may be encrypted, containing the medical information and copying it onto the medical information card. The individual may then attach a storage sleeve to his or her license, wallet, purse and so forth, insert the medical information card into the storage sleeve and seal the storage sleeve 33.

Finally with reference to FIG. 5, a flowchart showing the system and method of the present invention in which a first responder retrieves medical information from a patient's medical information card is shown. First, a first responder responds to a medical emergency 34. Then, the first responder locates the medical information card by noticing the storage sleeve 35. Next, the first responder places the medical information card into a port or media card reader on an electronic device, such as a laptop or tablet 36. Then, the medical information stored on the medical information card is opened and the first responder may read and/or print the medical information 37. The first responder may also convert the text of the medical information to a foreign language if the patient has been injured in a foreign country 38. The first responder will also be provided with a contact telephone number for the service provider 39. In addition, the service provider will be able to tell when the information on the card was last updated. The first responder may call the telephone number if necessary to ensure that the medical information on the medical information card is up to date with the most current medical information stored on the central data base 40. In addition, after being notified of a medical emergency the service provider will contact the individual's emergency contacts to inform them of the medical emergency 41.

It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.