鈥淯p to 80 per cent of the medical information patients receive is forgotten immediately, and nearly half of the information retained is incorrect,鈥� says Dr. Peter Pronovost of Johns Hopkins Medicine.
When you combine this statistic with the fact that most seniors take more than four prescriptions, plus over-the-counter supplements and medicines, former nurse and Comox Valley entrepreneur Heather Cooper knew there had to be a better way to minimize the likelihood of drug interactions and hospitalization issues when people don鈥檛 know what medicines they are taking or the correct dosages.
After searching for a product that would allow her to keep medical information in one place, and in a format that is easy to update and take to doctors鈥� visits (or the ER), she couldn鈥檛 find such an organizer that would be thorough yet versatile.
So, she created one.
With encouragement from doctors, nurses, family and friends, Cooper created her first prototype product, the All-In-One Healthcare Kit. She spent a year in a test-market phase 鈥� and even presented it to the Dragons' Den in Campbell River 鈥� where she received encouragement and advice.
After minor modifications to the test-market product and its branding, Cooper is pleased to announce the opening of her company, Third Life Creations, and the full market availability of the Medical Information Organizer 鈥� an all-in-one health info kit.
The MIO is an easy-to-carry, six-ring binder that contains various fill-in-the-blank forms to complete and update as needed. Medical information for up to six family members can be included in each MIO.
The sections include personal information, health conditions, medications, healthcare team, past surgeries/procedures, chronic health conditions and appointments. There are also pages for notes.
Each MIO includes organizing tools (dividers, tabs, pockets) for customization. Additional packets of monitoring sheets for chronic conditions such as diabetes or blood pressure are available, as well as a 20-plus page module of fill-in-the-form sheets for a new baby.
鈥淚 am sure the Medical Information Organizer will help people stay healthier and safer, so they never land in an ER and have to guess at their meds, which could result in a misdiagnosis or even a life-threatening drug interaction,鈥� Cooper said. 鈥淭his is the perfect gift for seniors and aging parents. I gave one to my in-laws as soon as they came from the printer, and they love it鈥nd it gives me peace of mind.鈥�
MedicalInfoOrganizer.com
