MEDICAL RECORD
STORAGE
The
Medical Record Storage program is a personal medical record solution that gives
fast, secure access to complete medical records whenever they are needed. Medical
records and vital information are maintained and released safely with a member's
PIN. Members have peace of mind whether they are across town or across the world.
In
a medical emergency, time is of the essence. Immediate access to this type of
information can SAVE LIVES by helping to avoid life-threatening delays
in treatment, medical/surgical complications, allergic reactions and medication
errors. Immediate access to this type of information can also SAVE HEALTH
CARE DOLLARS by avoiding the administration of unnecessary or duplicative
procedures and tests.
Highlights include:
- Confidential
service organizes medical documents in one safe, easily accessible place
-
24/7 rapid, secure access to vital information
- Program participation
ensures member's wishes are followed even in emergencies
- Record storage
file can include: medical conditions, allergies, insurance data, immunizations,
medications, physician information, x-rays, emergency contacts, information on
advance directives and more
- Members may make changes to their file at
any time
Payment must be made at the time of
service in order to receive a discount.
THIS
IS NOT INSURANCE, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO REPLACE INSURANCE
©
Copyright, New Benefits, Ltd. 1990-2005
Statistics Frequently
Asked Questions
STATISTICS
One
in five Americans (22%) report that they or a family member have experienced a
medical error of some kind. Nationally, this translates into an estimated 22.8
million people with at least one family member who experienced a mistake in a
doctor's office or hospital.
- The Commonwealth Fund, 2002
Of
those experiencing a medical mistake, 10 percent reported that they or a family
member had gotten sicker, and about half of those said the problem was very serious.
Nationally, this means that an estimated 8.1 million households reported a medical
mistake that was very serious.
- The Commonwealth Fund, 2002
The
new Commonwealth Fund study suggests that the 1999 Institute
of Medicine report, which estimated
that there are 44,000 to 98,000 deaths annually due to medical errors, may be
the tip of the iceberg in determining the full extent of injuries from medical
errors.
- The Commonwealth Fund, 2002
Based on the
Institute of Medicine's
lower estimate of 44,000 deaths annually, medical errors rank as the eighth leading
cause of death in the United States
higher than motor vehicle accidents (43,458), breast cancer (42,297), or AIDS
(16,516).
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2002
In
2002, Americans made 110.2 million visits to hospital emergency rooms, or about
38.9 visits per 100 persons.
- National
Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey:
2002 Emergency Department Summary
Diagnostic and screening
services were ordered or provided by hospital staff at 86.8% of ER visits.
-
National Hospital
Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2002 Emergency Department Summary
In
nearly 1 out of 100 ER visits, the patient required immediate attention (e.g.
unconscious or required resuscitation efforts).
- National
Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey:
2002 Emergency Department Summary
Medical
Records Storage FAQ
Q. What is the Medical
Records Storage program?
A. Our Medical Records
Storage program is a centralized database that allows retrieval of personal medical
data within minutes from virtually anywhere in the civilized world, twenty-four
hours a day, seven days a week. Personal medical information is securely stored
and can be retrieved so medical responders have a fast and secure system to obtain
the critical data they need to save lives.
Q. Why would
a healthy person want to join?
A. In the event
of an emergency, especially one rendering someone unconscious, it would be just
as important for medical providers to know someone isn't sick, doesn't have any
known allergies, and isn't on any medications as it is for those who are.
There
is also a private, personal Notes, section on our web site where non-medical information
may be stored and accessed. This portion is password protected on the Internet,
but may also be accessed by calling our toll-free number 24-7 and speaking with
an employee directly. Examples include credit card numbers and customer service
phone numbers (if lost or stolen), bank/financial records and safe deposit box information,
legal papers and information, and any other information someone would want to
securely store in one place for easy access.
Q.
How can someone be assured of the security of his or her information?
A.
Our security features include dual file servers running on a 100-Megabit per second
network. Both servers are dual-processor Intel PIII 400's with mirroring hard
drives and automated backups for dual redundancy. Each server is capable of mirroring
each other for added security and speed of transaction. Each server is capable
of housing 1 million records each and more servers may be added at any time on
an as needed basis.
Our software is custom built, utilizing
C++, Visual Basic and SQL. The program may be reconfigured and setup in a different
location within minutes in the event of a catastrophe. The stored information
is backed up daily and may be retrieved in multiple manners based on varied search
criteria.
Our automated Fax-Back System is a standalone
server, capable of 200 incoming and/or outgoing calls per hour. Records are recognized
and retrieved via the PIN and are automatically faxed to the number requested
by the user. Because the PIN is on the Member's card, information may be
accessed even if the member is unconscious, disoriented or not lucid.
Q.
How can someone be assured of the privacy and confidentiality of his or her information?
A.
Members are required to sign an authorization for release of Medical Information
for anyone who has access to their PIN at the time of application. Personally
identifiable information will not be willfully disclosed to any source without
prior expressed consent of the Member. Members' information is solely retained
on private servers and will not be sold or otherwise shared with outside individuals
or companies for Marketing or Marketing
Research purposes. We also do not utilize cookies on our web site for any reason.
Q.
How do members change the information on their Card?
A.
Additional cards may be obtained at no cost but if the information on the member's
card requires a change, the member must contact the Medical Records Storage office
for a new card.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 1-800-456-0440
Locate a Provider: 1-800-800-7616
Have
your NBA membership number available to receive your benefit.
Benefits
are subject to change without notice.
Payment must be made
at the time of service in order to receive a discount.
THIS
IS NOT INSURANCE, NOR IS IT INTENDED TO REPLACE INSURANCE
