Medical charity InterHealth is to launch a USB device that stores personal medical records.
The trial, which is being rolled out over the next few months, will enable humanitarian and aid workers travelling abroad to carry their personal medical records on a cred card-sized unit, called a Crosscard.
The device will store both private and public data, the former accessed only via a password.
InterHealth will offer the card to more than 300 client organisations, which support thousands of travellers each year. Information stored on the card will include blood group, blood pressure readings, details of any allergies or medical conditions, medication being taken and test results.
The card is updated via a PC or Mac.
“Travellers and relief workers are often located in very remote parts of the world,” says Peter Jones, the IT and Database Manager at InterHealth.
“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.”
A wider roll-out to private medical organisations is expected in the future.