Medical charity to roll-out credit card sized USB devices to hold travellers’ medical records

InterHealth, a specialist medical charity that provides health services to major international agencies involved in humanitarian relief and poverty reduction across the world, is rolling-out Crosscard, a pioneering personal electronic medical records card from Advanced Health & Care (AHC). The roll-out is planned over the next few months with individuals initially being provided with the Crosscard personal medical records card on a trial basis.

The Crosscard personal medical record card, which is available to private GP and occupational health provider patients, allows individuals that are travelling abroad to carry their medical records on a credit card sized USB device. The card stores the data in two areas - an emergency area which contains information that is publicly available and a protected area which can only be accessed by entering a password.

AHC’s Crosscard will be offered by InterHealth to over 300 client organisations which support thousands of travellers each year. The cards will enable travellers to securely access and share their medical records from anywhere in the world without requiring access to the internet. Key medical data on the Crosscard can also be accessed by emergency services in the event of an emergency situation should the card owner be taken ill or become unconscious.

The medical information held on the card could include blood group, blood pressure readings, details of any allergies or medical conditions, medication being taken and test results. To update the card details (which does require access to the internet), the card plugs into a PC or laptop’s USB port, enabling key medical information to be accessed and updated within seconds. If the card owner is taken ill or involved in an accident, the emergency services can simply retrieve the card from the individual’s pocket and use the data to gain instant access to key medical information, which could mean the difference between life and death.

Peter Jones, IT and Database Manager at InterHealth, says, “Travellers and relief workers are often located in very remote parts of the world. We therefore recognised the need for an electronic patient records solution that would enable quick and secure access to medical information when on the move without requiring access to the internet.”

Jones continues, “We already successfully use Advanced Health & Care’s Crosscare clinical management software system and so trusted the company to provide us with an electronic records solution to meet our needs. The Crosscard is the perfect answer to travellers’ and relief workers’ medical records needs whilst providing emergency services and health professionals all over the world with quick and easy access to crucial up-to-date medical data.”

FACTFILE:
www.interhealth.org.uk

InterHealth is a specialist London based medical charity providing healthcare and support to international agencies involved in humanitarian relief and poverty reduction across the world.

InterHealth’s services are tailored to those working in the UK and Worldwide and include:
- Medical Services
- Psychological Health Services
- Occupational Health Services
- Travel Clinic Services

InterHealth supports dedicated staff and volunteers to be physically and psychologically fit, resilient and prepared for tough environments and demanding work in the UK and internationally.

Advanced Health & Care is a leading supplier of IT management systems for urgent & unplanned care, homecare, residential care, hospices, mobile information for community carers and back-office management systems for NHS trusts, local authorities and care providers.

Working with partners in the NHS, local government and the private sector, Advanced Health & Care is delivering IT solutions in support of safe, efficient care delivery with integrated management information. Advanced’s unique proposition is its range of integrated care solutions offering visibility of information for both the commissioner and care provider.

The Advanced Health & Care suite of products includes: Adastra, Caresys, Crosscare, eFinancials Smart Business Suite, iConnect, iNurse, Saturn & StaffPlan.