Medtech and MedicAlert Create Global Connection for Rugby World Cup 2011

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New Zealand health technology company Medtech Global, MedicAlert Foundation International, and MedicAlert New Zealand have collaborated to develop an electronic health information solution that enables New Zealand Emergency services to access medical records of visiting international MedicAlert members in real time.

Described as a "world first" the long term vision for the solution is to enable emergency services including Paramedics and Hospital Emergency Departments to access life saving medical information of travelling MedicAlert members from New Zealand and overseas, through its reliable, trustworthy and internationally recognised service.

The solution has been demonstrated to Health Minister Tony Ryall, who said "It makes a lot of sense to connect this information together so that visitors' health information is easily accessible by clinicians."

He is pleased to see New Zealand advancements in the system of delivering secure, health records around New Zealand being extended globally. "Medtech's development of its health information sharing system, together with MedicAlert, shows New Zealand is at the cutting edge of health IT," Mr Ryall says.

Murray Lord, chief executive of MedicAlert New Zealand, says, "New Zealand emergency services will now have secure electronic access to validated medical information for New Zealanders and international visitors who present an authentic MedicAlert Emblem. MedicAlert's service protects patient privacy, while allowing the disclosure of vital information in accordance with the purpose of the service."

MedicAlert New Zealand has launched the service this week to cater for international visitors expected to come to New Zealand for the Rugby World cup event. Initially the solution will connect visitors from a number of countries which include the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and South Africa, more countries will connect over time.

"The vision of MedicAlert Foundation International is to ensure that vital member information is available in an emergency to paramedics and hospital emergency departments anywhere around the globe where there is access online or by phone. The New Zealand initiative is another important step," said Andrew B. Wigglesworth, President and CEO of MedicAlert Foundation International.

The innovative health solution allows access to comprehensive vital medical information including medications, allergies, medical warnings, medical conditions, medical devices and implants, next of kin, emergency contact information, and more. The information is presented in a format that optimises timely utilisation by paramedics.

Vino Ramayah, executive chairman of Medtech, says "Medtech is delighted to be working in partnership with MedicAlert on this very exciting initiative to demonstrate international connectivity using Medtech's ManageMyHealth technology."

Medtech's ManageMyHealth technology is central to the delivery of the internationally connected Patient Vitals solution.

ManageMyHealth is a secure patient centric health record solution that enhances patient safety and quality of care by allowing healthcare providers across multiple healthcare settings to securely access an individual's heath information at point of care enhancing the overall patient journey. Sanjeewa Samaraweera, Chief Operating Officer of ManageMyHealth said: "the development of the internationally connected Patient Health Information Solution for MedicAlert demonstrates the international interoperability of the ManageMyHealth solution."

MedicAlert Foundation International – whose services are recommended by the World Health and World Allergy Organisations is the world leader in medical identification services and technology with members in 50 different countries and spearheaded the initiative with leading New Zealand health technology company Medtech, to achieve connectivity among its international affiliates to serve its members worldwide.

About Medtech Global:
Medtech Global Limited is the largest provider of technology solutions in New Zealand primary healthcare, and the second largest in Australia. Medtech products are also widely used in several other countries including Ireland, India, Singapore, Brunei, United States and the Pacific Islands.

About MedicAlert International:
MedicAlert Foundation International services more than four million members in more than 50 countries through its worldwide network of non-profit affiliated organizations. MedicAlert Foundation International provides the functionality of an e-health information exchange through an innovative combination of a unique patient identifier linked to a PHR and a live 24/7 emergency response service. Learn more at www.medicalert.org

SOURCE MedicAlert Foundation