Accessible Medical Records on the Road

If you have a medical emergency on the road, you probably want to know that your medical records are easily accessible. Here are a few options.

Google has an online database called Google Health.

You can import and store official medical records from participating insurance companies, hospitals like Cleveland Clinic, and pharmacies.

The benefit is that your information is stored in one easily accessible place, and you can control how much or how little information is included.

WebMD Personal Health Record is a similar program.

So is Microsoft HealthVault, which even lets you download information from certain medical devices—like blood pressure and blood glucose monitors—right onto your computer.

Or if you’d prefer to keep your records with you, a company called Traveler-ER sells a portable USB drive where you can store all your information.

That includes your medical history, any allergies, your doctor’s contact information, and emergency contact information.

It also comes with a sticker for your driver’s license or insurance card to alert emergency services that you’re carrying this device.

The biggest drawback is that since you have to manually enter the information, so it’s up to you to keep it updated.

To get more information, check out our Travel Gadgets & Gear section.

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