WO2001084369A1

WO2001084369A1 - Medical history data system and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2001084369A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/011841
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard R. Schuman; Richard R. Klein; David S. Ross
Original assignee: Records M.D., Inc.
Priority date: 2000-05-03
Filing date: 2000-05-03
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: AU2000246900A1

Abstract

A medical history data system (figure 1) and method whereby a portable data card is generated bearing a patient's medical history in a plurality of languages. The system provides a means whereby individuals can obtain a card from a vendor via an on-line connection and is of particular suitability to individuals who travel. The system and method are readily adaptable to veterinary uses as well.

Description

MEDICAL HISTORY DATA SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a medical history data system and method whereby a portable data card is generated bearing a patient ' s medical history in a plurality of languages. The system provides a means whereby individuals can obtain a card from a vendor via an on-line connection and is of particular suitability to individuals who travel. The system and method are readily adaptable to veterinary uses as well. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for a portable, readily available medical history device which can be easily carried on the person is evident, particularly today where so much international travel takes place. In medical emergencies it can speak for the individual, potentially avoiding mistreatment and possibly death. With large HMO's and insurance companies, referred patients need not wait for paper records to be copied and delivered to specialists, laboratories and diagnostic centers, and errors in such retrieval and copying would be eliminated. If the portable medical history can be extended, a patient's complete medical record may be permanently in his or her possession, and by extension, medical records of the primary care giver and central insurance files may be updated electronically. Fraud can be more easily detected and eliminated and omissions and redundancy will become evident and will be reduced. In addition, adverse drug interactions may be avoided since the portable medical history may include data on all prescriptions being taken.

To create a portable medical record which can perform in the manner described above, certain conditions must be met: 1) the record must be small in physical size, able to be carried in a wallet or purse; (2) the record must be capable of being read using equipment commonly in use throughout the U.S. and the world; (3) the record must be tamper proof, i.e., not erasable or changeable; (4) it must be possible to add new data to update and keep current the existing recorded data; (5) the record should have ample capacity to store EKG's, X- rays, MRI ' s CT Scans and other electronic scans and significant data.

Portable systems now in use include the following:

Magnetic Strips and disks: these have very limited capacity, generally not more than a few hundred bytes and are suitable for identification purposes but are capable of being erased or changed.

Smart Cards : these cards have an embedded microchip, widely used in Europe as identification and value/debit cards with a typical capacity of 8 to 16 kilobytes . Smart cards are capable of easy erasure and change and are not tamper proof. Furthermore, they require special readers which are not widely available. Flash Memory Cards : these contain memory chips with capacities up to several megabytes. However, some types require a power source in order to maintain their stored data and all can be damaged or erased by strong magnetic fields. In addition, as with the smart cards, special readers which may not be readily available are required.

There is, as yet, no easy, reliable and readily portable means whereby a person may carry with them their complete medical history, including, if desired, X-ray data, EKG, EEG, MRI and CT scan data in a form that is both non-bulky and readily available to medical workers regardless of the condition in which the patient may be in. Furthermore, there is no system by which an individual may easily obtain such a portable medical history which may fit in a wallet or passport jacket when travelling and be readily available when needed and which has their medical history stored thereon in a plurality of languages . The present invention provides a system and method which employs commonly and widely available materials and equipment to produce a medical data card that is permanent, tamper proof, fits easily into a wallet or purse, contains data which may be readily extended or updated, is completely within the control of the person owning it and can be copied electronically into the records of medical and insurance companies to provide the detail and scope needed to minimize fraud, error and waste. Emergency personnel, upon being given or finding the card will be able to read it using standard equipment already in possession to note important data regarding allergies and prior medical conditions of the patient so as to guide them away from improper treatment. In addition, using available communications technology they will be able to transmit the data to the hospital while en-route thereby eliminating any delay which may be caused by having to wait for paper records or relative to be located. Furthermore, the medical data card produced by the system and method of the present invention is inexpensive and economically affordable to almost all persons in the civilized world.

The present invention makes use of the large capacity, stability and almost universal applicability of CD-ROM media coupled with on-line access via the internet to provide a patient data card on which individuals may record their personal information and medical history in a manner so as to be readable on any computer system having a CD-ROM drive. In addition, the present invention provides a system whereby individuals may obtain a card directly from a vendor without having to go through their health care provider, insurance company or HMO and where the medical history data stored on the card is available in a plurality of languages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a medical history data system and apparatus whereby individuals may obtain a card bearing data files thereon which correspond to their medical history. The system includes a data storage card, a host computer system capable of being accessed via a global network and having means to receive data from remote locations, a data transfer means connected to said host computer system and capable of removably receiving said data storage card and transferring data received from remote locations onto said data storage card, a first memory area on said host computer system storing an operating program capable of receiving said data and converting said data into data files for transfer to said data storage card, a second memory area storing a translation program capable of translating said data into at least one language other than the language in which said data is received and creating translated data files for transfer to said data storage card, and a second computer system separate and remote from said host computer system, said second computer system having a data transfer means connected thereto capable of removably receiving said data storage card and reading data files stored thereon and a display means capable of displaying said data files in a visually perceptible form, whereby data is received and converted into data files by said operating program, said data files are transferred to and stored on said data storage card, and said data storage card is provided to a patient .

In addition, the invention provides a medical history data system for generating and issuing a data card bearing a patient's medical history and including a computer system accessible via on-line communications, said computer system comprising a first memory area storing a data base program capable of receiving data and generating individual patient data files, a second memory area storing a language translation program capable of selectively translating said patient data files into at least one language other than the language in which said data is received and generating translated data files, a removable storage media apparatus comprising a data transfer means and a removable storage media receivable by said data transfer means whereby said patient data files and translated data files are stored on said removable storage media in a format readable by a second computer system having means to interface with said removable storage media, and a secured server means capable of initiating and completing a financial transaction in response to on-line authorization from a remote user whereby said removable storage media bearing said data files is issued to a patient.

Further, the present invention provides a medical history data system comprising a portable data storage means, a host computer system having data input means and data storage means, data transfer means electronically connected to said host computer, said data transfer means adapted to receive said portable data storage means and transferring data from said host computer to said portable data storage means, a second computer system separate from said host computer system and having a second data transfer means adapted to receive said portable data storage means, read data stored thereon and display said data in a visually perceptible form.

There is also provided a method for generating a data card bearing a patient ' s medical history in a plurality of languages via an on-line computer system comprising the steps of: providing on-line to an electronic form adapted to receive data input of medical history information, providing on-line access to an electronic translation program, providing a data storage medium and means for downloading data to said medium, establishing a link between said electronic form and said translation program, receiving electronic data entries in said electronic form in a first language, activating said translation program and translating said data entries from said first language into at least one second language, generating storable data files comprising said data in said first language and said at least second language, and downloading said storable data files to said data storage medium.

The method of the invention is preferably carried out by establishing a connection to a host computer over the internet, but may also be carried out over any network system where the host computer is provided with the necessary software and hardware elements. Thus, the method and apparatus of the invention may be applied to an HMO or medical insurance provider to generate and provide medical history data cards to their subscribers . Hospitals and long term care facilities may use the system to maintain patient records and to provide a record for the patient to take with them when discharged.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a medical history data system and method therefor.

It is a further object to provide a medical history data system which is generates a portable data card bearing a patient ' s medical history in a form which is readable by any computer system.

It is a still further object to provide a medical history data system bearing a patient ' s personal and medical history data in the language of entry and at least one second language. It is an even further object to provide a medical history data system and method therefor which is accessible over the internet whereby individuals may obtain a personal patient data card.

Further objects and advantages will become evident from the following drawings and descriptions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a pictorial representation of the basic system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a representation of the preferred form of the patient data card of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the manner in which the card produced by the system is used.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the system relating to connection of the system to an insurance company or HMO. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a medical history data system and method therefor whereby personal medical history is received directly or by entry at an Internet website, and is recorded or "burned" directly onto a customized compact disk, or CD. (The term, "burning", reflects the action of a laser used to record digitized data and sound onto a CD-ROM disk.) While the CD may be used in its full size of approximately 120mm (4.72") in diameter, as available worldwide, advantages are enjoyed when it is trimmed by mechanical means, first to a smaller diameter of about 60mm to 80mm, preferably 79mm (3.11"), i.e., the so-called mini-CD, so as to fit into the shallow depression in the center of the tray in standard CD-ROM players, then to trim two parallel sides between about 44mm (1.73") and 60mm (2.36") apart, equidistant from the center of the CD. The preferred trimmed width is 54mm (2.13"), which is approximately the width of a standard credit card. Personal medical history data is received from an individual in many ways . It may be transmitted in writing, by telephone to an entry technician, electronically either by direct download or by completing an electronic form or worksheet on the vendor's web site. The information provided is converted into a file that is readable by a personal computer and is recorded or burned onto the CD. After recording, the CD, trimmed or untrimmed, is identified by a serial number and a label with the individual's name and address, as obtained from the data provided following playing of the completed CD to ensure that the data has been properly burned onto the CD. The completed CD, which is termed the "PDCard", is printed with basic instructions and placed in a protective sleeve with a visible tab at the open end to enhance recognition and identification. The individual carries the sleeved PDCard in a wallet, purse, passport folder or other location for easy access in case of emergency requiring medical help.

In the event of such an emergency, the individual, now the patient, presents the PDCard to the emergency response paramedic or the emergency room nurse, or other medical worker, who will read the instructions and place the PDCard in a standard CD-ROM player in their available computer and play it as one would play any CD. The patient ' s medical record is displayed on the computer monitor preferably as a text file so as not to be dependent on any one particular operating system or word processing software. The medical record includes the pa ient's personal information, i.e., name and address, followed by the names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons to notify in the event of an emergency, the patient's doctors and insurance data, any allergies and medical conditions that medical workers would need to be aware of and then the patient's brief medical history. In addition, the PDCard may include laboratory data, EKG's, scans, electronic records and any other information deemed important to identify special medical conditions pertinent to the individual. Having such information at hand, the response team, emergency room team, or other medical workers will be warned of potentially improper medication or treatment thereby avoiding further injury or death to the patient.

A CD, trimmed as preferred, has approximately 20 to 40 megabytes of storage memory which is believed to be much more than adequate to store complete medical histories and records for most people, including blood analyses, scans of X-rays and EKG's and direct electronic records of CT, MRI, ultra-sound and other scans. For this reason, the invention also includes the method by which the PDCard, as above described, may be used as a patient identification card for clients of health management organizations, physician associations and health care insurance companies. The patient's PDCard may be updated by burning in the date, physician's name and nature of visit with a report, once written and available, to be added on the patient's next visit or transcribed from a physical or electronic report sent to the patient's primary care physician or the insurance company or HMO. If data needs exceed the maximum capacity of the PDCard, the data may be compressed before burning onto the card. The complete electronic file may be maintained on a full size CD for the patient at the HMO or insurance company headquarters or in a central database suitably backed up for security.

The language used in preparing and recording the medical data may be any language which has been reduced to an electronic form suitable for use on personal computers . At present data input can be performed in English, French, Italian, Spanish or Japanese and output can be in any or all of these languages . Any language which has been made capable of writing to and retrieving from a personal computer can be applied. A separate keyboard may be needed for certain languages but such would already be in place for retrieval of data from the PDCard in a country using that language . For individuals who travel through a number of foreign lands, the PDCard may be prepared with the medical data written in all languages to be encountered. In this case, the entered data is translated into the desired languages and burned onto the card as a single file to be displayed when played. The medical worker simply scrolls through the data displayed until the local language appears. Preferably, however, separate files for each language are prepared and burned onto the card. Upon playing the card, the medical worker is presented with an initial screen having an index means permitting him to easily choose the correct language file for that country. In view of the wide use of internet browser software and other programs which can read and display HTML files, it is also a part of the present invention to provide parallel files of the medical history data in HTML format which is capable of including graphic elements .

Figures 1 and 3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the system for use by individuals to obtain a personal patient data card. In this embodiment, the individual customer preferably accesses the vendor's server via the vendor's internet web site. The vendor's home page includes a link to an electronic form stored on the server. The form corresponds to a data base on the server which is preformatted with predefined fields for the customer's personal information, such as name and address, etc., as well as a series of predefined fields corresponding to specific diseases, maladies, symptoms, conditions, allergies and the like. When the form is accessed, the customer is prompted to enter his personal data and to check or select all those predefined fields that are applicable.

In addition, the data base includes, and the form provides, arbitrary fields for entry of comments and information concerning any allergies the customer suffers from, any medications that have been prescribed and that the customer is taking, any surgery the customer has undergone and any periods during which the customer was hospitalized and the reasons and treatments associated therewith. The arbitrary fields permit the customer to include details that cannot be conveyed merely by a yes of nor response. Also located on the server is a translation program which is keyed or linked to the data base and which is capable of providing a translation of the personal and medical information entered by the customer into one or more languages other than that in which the data is entered. Upon completion of the data entry, a data file consisting of the personal and medical information entered is created and the customer is presented with a selection whereby he can request or decline translation. If translation is declined, the customer is directed to a screen for handling payment information. Payment for the service provided under the system is handled by a secure credit or debit card transaction through any one of several means which are known in the field of on-line financial and sales transactions and. which do not form a part of this invention other than to facilitate the commercial application thereof.

Where the customer requests a translation, the translation program is activated and the customer is prompted to select the languages into which he desires the data to be translated. For example, if the customer is planning a trip to Europe, then he might select French, German, Spanish or Italian. Alternatively, someone who travels to Japan might select Japanese. The number and selection of languages which may be available is limited only by the capability of the translation program and it is within the scope of this invention to permit the selection of a plurality of languages. Once the languages are selected, the translation program operates to generate the translations and to create separate data files for each language selected. The customer is then directed to the payment screen as described previously. Following completion of the financial transaction, the customer may be informed of the expected time of delivery for his data card and then may be prompted to log off or go to another location. In the meanwhile, the server continues to process the data files by directing them to a data transfer means for transfer to the data card. As previously described, the data card media is preferably a CD-ROM, most preferably a specially trimmed mini-CD-ROM such as that shown in Fig. 2. Such specially trimmed mini-CD's can be obtained from Shape CD, Inc. of New York, pursuant to their U.S. Design Patent No. 419,152. In order to prevent inadvertent damage to data stored thereon, it is preferred that the data card or CD be recordable only rather than a rewritable CD format. The data transfer means is a CD recorder or "burner" , and transfer of the data files from the server to the recorder causes them to be written to the data card. In addition, copies of the data files are sent to a backup storage and are kept for a limited period of time by the vendor in the event an error in the data is detected during testing or is reported by the customer. The recorded data card is checked for accuracy and, using the personal information entered by the customer, a label bearing the customer's name is applied to the data card before it is mailed to the customer. In order to accommodate as many different computer systems as possible, the data files generated and stored on the data card are preferably in a common TXT format which can be read by any word processor. In addition, given the widespread usage of the Microsoft Windows operating system and web browsers, the data files may also be provided in HTML format. Other formats in which the data may be stored include Adobe ' s Portable Document Format (PDF) and Rich Text Format (RTF) .

As an alternative to direct access to the vendor's site and the system over the internet, it is within the scope of this invention to permit a customer to access the vendor by telephone and speak to a technician. In this embodiment, the technician has direct access to the server and takes the customer's verbal information and transcribes it into the system. In this embodiment, the technician merely serves as the intermediary between the medical history data system and the customer .

Fig. 4 illustrates the steps in the use of the data card by a health care worker. When the customer is in need of medical attention, the card is given to a doctor or emergency medical technician or other health care worker who places it into a standard CD drive in their computer. The card includes a program which is self executing and displays an opening screen which identifies the card as bearing the customer's medical history and, where the data is present in different language files, displays a menu which permits the health care worker to select the desired language. Upon selection, the appropriate TXT, HTML, PDF, RTF or other format file is displayed thereby providing the health care worker with the customer's medical history. CD-ROM's, including mini-CD's and the trimmed

CD format which is preferred in this invention, have a capacity of from tens to thousands of megabytes . Accordingly it is possible to store image files in addition to the, medical history information described herein. In a further embodiment, the medical history data system includes means to receive scanned data and appropriate software to create image files of such scanned data for storage on the data card. Means to receive scanned data may include an optical scanner whereby image data from hard copy is scanned into the system or an on-line link accessible by doctors and hospitals whereby X-ray, MRI, CT scan, EKG and EEG data can be directly downloaded to the system and added to the data stored on the data card. As is the case with the medical history data, image data can be stored in several formats, for example, Bit Mapped Graphics (BMG) , JPEG, or any other commonly used graphic or image format. The system and method of the present invention are readily adaptable to use by insurance companies, HMO's and the like, for use in providing the service to their subscribers. In such instances, the insurance carrier may have direct access to the vendor with parallel access from the insurance history storage facility. The operation of the system is substantially the same with the exception that a separate financial transaction step will not generally be required since the insurance company will generally have a contract with the vendor. In addition, instead of mailing the completed data cards to the insured, the vendor will send the cards to the insurance company or HMO for distribution to their subscribers . The system also lends itself to easy updating of the data cards either by simply issuing a new card with updated information, the cost of CD-ROM's being relatively low, or by having the customers or subscribers return their own cards for updating with data downloaded from doctors, insurance companies or HMO's.

Alternatively, through arrangements with participating doctors, hospitals, HMO's, and the like, the vendor can, provide those entities with the software and CD recorder drives necessary to permit direct updating of customers ' and subscribers' cards with a report after each visit to their health care provider.

The present invention has applicability as well in the veterinary fields to maintain records for prize animals and for animals raised specifically for breeding where records of provenance such as awards, training and pedigree and medical records such as inoculations, medications and treatments are needed. As described herein, the data is burned onto a trimmed CD, placed in a waterproof plastic case and hung on a collar around the animal's neck or kept in a safe place together with positive means of identification, such as a breeder's book or the like. Specific types of animals which may benefit by such records include, but are not limited to, thoroughbred dogs, cats, horses and livestock, especially prize stock raised for breeding.

The foregoing description presents the preferred embodiments of the present invention and it is understood that many variations and modifications of those embodiments will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is :

1. A medical history data system comprising: a data storage card, a host computer system capable of being accessed via a global network and having means to receive data from remote locations, a data transfer means connected to said host computer system and capable of removably receiving said data storage card and transferring data received from remote locations onto said data storage card, a first memory area on said host computer system storing an operating program capable of receiving said data and converting said data into data files for transfer to said data storage card, a second memory area storing a translation program capable of translating said data into at least one language other than the language in which said data is received and creating translated data files for transfer to said data storage card, and a second computer system separate and remote from said host computer system, said second computer system having a data transfer means connected thereto capable of removably receiving said data storage card and reading data files stored thereon and a display means capable of displaying said data files in a visually perceptible form, whereby data is received and converted into data files by said operating program, said data files are transferred to and stored on said data storage card, and said data storage card is provided to a patient.

2. The medical history data system of claim 1 wherein the data storage card comprises a magnetically encodable card.

3. The medical history data system of claim 1 wherein the data storage card comprises an electronically encodable card.

4. The medical history data system of claim 1 wherein the data storage card comprises a laser encodable card.

5. The medical history data system of claim 4 wherein the data storage card comprises a special form CD-ROM card.

6. The medical history data system of claim 1 wherein the operating program comprises a data base having predefined and arbitrary fields for receiving data input from said remote locations .

7. The medical history data system of claim 6 wherein said host computer is programmed to present said data base as an electronic form for entry of data from a remote location when said host computer system is accessed via a global network.

8. The medical history data system of claim 6 wherein said host computer is programmed to perform the steps comprising: providing a remote user with on-line access to a homepage, said homepage having a first link to said first memory area, upon activation of said first link by said remote user, running said operating program whereby said remote user is presented with an electronic form for entry of data into said data base, upon completion of data entry by said remote user, converting said data into at least one storable data file and downloading said data file to said data transfer means whereby said data file is stored on said data storage card.

9. The medical history data system of claim 8 wherein said host computer is further programmed to perform the steps comprising: providing a second link to said second memory area, upon completion of data entry by said remote user, activating said second link and running said translation program, translating said data into at least one language other than the language in which said data is entered by said remote user, converting said translation into at least one storable translation data file and downloading said translation data file to said data transfer means whereby said translation data file is stored on said data storage card.

10. A medical history data system for generating and issuing a data card bearing a patient ' s medical history and including a computer system accessible via on-line communications, said computer system comprising: a first memory area storing a data base program capable of receiving data and generating individual patient data files, a second memory area storing a language translation program capable of selectively translating said patient data files into at least one language other than the language in which said data is received and generating translated data files, a removable storage media apparatus comprising a data transfer means and a removable storage media receivable by said data transfer means whereby said patient data files and translated data files are stored on said removable storage media in a format readable by a second computer system having means to interface with said removable storage media, and a secured server means capable of initiating and completing a financial transaction in response to on-line authorization from a remote user whereby said removable storage media bearing said data files is issued to a patient.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising means for receiving images, generating image data files and storing said image data files on said removable storage media in a format readable by said second computer system.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a program on said removable storage media capable of being run on said second computer system whereby said patient data files, said translated data files and said image data files are read and displayed by said second computer system.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said data transfer means comprises a disk drive and said removable storage media comprises a writable and readable disk format compatible with said disk drive.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said data transfer means is a CD-ROM read/write drive and said removable storage media is a recordable CD.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said removable storage media comprises an electronically programmable storage card and said data transfer means comprises a compatible device capable of receiving said card and electronically transferring data thereto.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said patient data files, translated data files and image data files are stored on said removable storage media in a plurality of formats readable by different computer systems .

17. A medical history data system comprising: a portable data storage means, a host computer system having data input means and data storage means, data transfer means electronically connected to said host computer, said data transfer means adapted to receive said portable data storage means and transferring data from said host computer to said portable data storage means, a second computer system separate from said host computer system and having a second data transfer means adapted to receive said portable data storage means, read data stored thereon and display said data in a visually perceptible form.

18. The medical history data system of claim 17 further comprising a preformatted data base adapted to receive data in a plurality of fields and to generate data files therefrom whereby said data files are transmitted to said data transfer means and are stored on said portable data storage means .

19. The medical history data system of claim 18 further comprising a language translation program stored on said host computer, said language translation program adapted to translate said data in said data base into at least one language other than the language in which said data is received and to generate translated data files therefrom whereby said translated data files are transmitted to said data transfer means and are stored on said portable data storage means .

20. The medical history data system of claim 19 wherein said portable data storage means comprises a magnetically encodable media and said data transfer means comprises a compatible magnetic drive.

21. The medical history data system of claim 19 wherein said portable data storage means comprises an electronically programmable media and said data transfer means comprises a compatible electronic connector therefor.

22. The medical history data system of claim 19 wherein said portable data storage means comprises a laser recordable CD and said data transfer means comprises a compatible CD read/write drive.

23. The medical history data system of claim 19 wherein said data files and said translated data files are stored on said portable data storage means in a plurality of formats readable by different computer systems .

24. The medical history data system of claim 23 further comprising a program stored on said portable data storage means adapted to run on said second computer system whereby said data files and said translated data files are rendered readable by said second computer system and enabling a user to select said data files to be displayed.

25. The medical history data system of claim 24 further comprising network connection means providing on-line access to said host computer system over a global network whereby data is entered from remote locations.

26. The medical history data system of claim 25 further comprising a homepage accessible over a global network providing a link to said data base and wherein said data base presents an electronic form having predefined and arbitrary fields for receiving data input from said remote locations, wherein said predetermined fields correspond to selected medical conditions and symptoms and said arbitrary fields correspond to patient personal information and comments.

27. A method for generating a data card bearing a patient ' s medical history in a plurality of languages via an on-line computer system comprising the steps of : a) providing on-line access to an electronic form adapted to receive data input of medical history information, b) providing on-line access to an electronic translation program, c) providing a data storage medium and means for downloading data to said medium, d) establishing a link between said electronic form and said translation program, e) receiving electronic data entries in said electronic form in a first language, f) activating said translation program and translating said data entries from said first language into at least one second language, g) generating storable data files comprising said data in said first language and said at least second language, and h) downloading said storable data files to said data storage medium.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising generating said storable data files in a plurality of computer readable formats .

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said computer readable formats include TXT, HTML, PDF and RTF.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising providing said data storage medium in the form of a recordable CD-ROM and said means for downloading in the form of a CD recorder.

31. The method of claim 30 comprising providing said CD-ROM in a card shape of from 60mm - 80mm long and 44mm - 60mm wide.

32. The method of claim 31 comprising providing said CD-ROM in a card shape of 79mm long and 54mm wide.

33. The method of claim 27 further comprising providing means to receive electronically scanned data, generating image files of said scanned data, and downloading said image files to said storage medium.

34. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of: establishing a connection to and logging onto said on-line computer system, accessing said electronic form and inputting data thereto whereby a first data file comprising medical history data in a first language is generated, accessing said electronic translation program and inputting a command to translate said data into at least one second language whereby said translation program establishes a link to said first data file and generates at least a second data file comprising said medical history data in said at least one second language, inputting a save command whereby said computer system is directed to generate said storable data files and to save said storable data files to said data storage medium.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising providing said on-line computer system as a host computer connected to and accessible by an internet web page and having means to establish a two way communication with a remote computer system.