The Bottom Line
Medical identification is breaking into the computer age at last. The MedicTag is a small device that connects to the USB port of a computer. You complete the form on it, filling in your medical information. It is then available to carry with you and have available for emergency and other medical personnel. The MedicTag does have a few limitations, but may still be quite helpful.
Pros
- Easily connects to any computer with a USB port (USB 1.0, 1.1, or 2.0).
- Provides more information than traditional medical identification.
- Switch can be used to make it "read only" to protect data.
- Information can be printed easily from MS Word.
- Bright logo makes its purpose obvious and recognizable.
Cons
- Launches automatically only in Windows XP (drivers are downloadable for other versions).
- Need Microsoft Word to enter your information.
- Spaces for listing medications are too few.
Description
- This device is a customized USB thumb drive, aka key drive.
- White with a very bright, distinct red medical logo.
- Fairly well designed information form, but needs more available slots for listing medications.
- Complete medical potentially information available without the need for a phone call.
- Can be attached to key chain, accompanying lanyard, or other items.
- Simple to update and back up.
- Information form can also be printed.
Guide Review - MedicTag Digital Medical Identification
The MedicTag is a superlative idea. These tiny USB drives have made it possible to easily record our medical information, keep it updated, and keep it with us. This should be essential in emergency situations and very convenient at appointments with physicians.
It did concern me that the form is dependent on Microsoft Word. Checking with some hospitals, I found that MS Word is not installed on the computers at the registration desks in as many emergency rooms as perhaps the manufacturer thought. At more than half of the hospitals I checked, those computers are used only for patient registration, which is accomplished using a special software application on the hospital's computer network. There is little other software installed on those computers. I am assured by the manufacturer, however, that the file is read by WordPad if the computer doesn't have Microsoft Word.
Overall, this is an interesting product, but I'll continue to wear my medical identification bracelet as well until I'm sure its limitations aren't problematic.
It did concern me that the form is dependent on Microsoft Word. Checking with some hospitals, I found that MS Word is not installed on the computers at the registration desks in as many emergency rooms as perhaps the manufacturer thought. At more than half of the hospitals I checked, those computers are used only for patient registration, which is accomplished using a special software application on the hospital's computer network. There is little other software installed on those computers. I am assured by the manufacturer, however, that the file is read by WordPad if the computer doesn't have Microsoft Word.
Overall, this is an interesting product, but I'll continue to wear my medical identification bracelet as well until I'm sure its limitations aren't problematic.
