UMED was designed by physicians, emergency medical professionals, parents and caregivers for people who travel, have chronic medical conditions or who are caregivers for the chronically ill.  Until the launch of UMED, there was no comprehensive, secure and accurate place to store an individual's medical records so they could be accessed in a medical emergency. 

If a patient is unconscious or disoriented, emergency medical personnel contact a patient's family to determine their medical history.  Yet statistics show that 70 per cent of the time, they are unable to reach anyone.  UMED makes this simple.  In the event of an emergency, the subscriber or a medical professional can call UMED's toll-free number and provide the medical number and password found on the UMED subscriber ID Card.  UMED will verify the caller is a medical professional, that the situation is an emergency and will immediately access the subscriber's medical history. 

UMED's Call Centre is unique.  It is staffed by registered nurses who speak to physicians using proper medical terminology, with translation into foreign languages as needed.  Registered nurses ensure the information is conveyed accurately and an immediate follow-up fax to the physician confirms this information in hard copy.

UMED's medical records are the most secure and accurate available anywhere.  Registered nurses validate the medical records and as a safeguard against error, UMED sends each subscriber a review copy of his or her record. Unless the subscriber provides a signed release, insurance companies, claims managers or other unauthorized individuals are not permitted to access records without a password and member number.

UMED is more than just a lifesaver.  It assists with day-to-day health care management and can be the repository for past, present and future medical data.  UMED records such information as family medical histories, alternative medications, immunization records, living wills and organ donership preferences.  Instructions regarding resuscitation, life support and blood transfusions are also noted on a subscriber's record. 

UMED is available in Canada and the United States.  It is flexible and offers two levels of service.  The Emergency Record System is appropriate for people with uncomplicated medical histories and those who feel confident in filling out their own UMED record.  The Comprehensive Record System works best for people whose complicated medical situation requires that their physician(s) complete their record.  With the Comprehensive Record System, UMED will actually contact physician(s) on a subscriber's behalf to implement completion of the person's medical history.