Designed and produced by retired Comox Valley nurse Heather Cooper, the Medical Information Organizer has gone international.

In late-September, Cooper received an order for another 50 copies of the MIO from P.E.O, a U.S.-based philanthropic organization selling the organizer as a fund-raiser.

鈥淲e鈥檝e offered the Medical Information Organizer to a variety of organizations to use as a great fund-raiser, a la Girl Guide cookies or car washes, but I never expected a non-profit group from the U.S. to find us," Cooper said. "We are so excited for such international exposure. It is extra cool that the organization supports women.鈥�

The MIO is a purse-size binder that contains fill-in-the-blank forms. Medical information for up to six family members can be included. Sections include personal information, current health conditions, medications, healthcare team, past surgeries/procedures, chronic health conditions and appointments.

When Cooper was nursing, she noted the importance of having an accurate, updated list of medications and clear instructions from medical care providers.

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� according to authorities at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Combining this statistic with the fact that most seniors take more than four prescriptions, plus over-the-counter supplements and medicines, the opportunity for life-threatening drug interactions and providing incorrect information to health professionals is huge.

Cooper introduced the MIO in the Comox Valley last year, distributing it at the Medicine Shoppe in Comox and at MedicalInfoOrganizer.com.