Gone are the days of trying to recall when you underwent bypass surgery or had that left knee replaced. No need to check your datebook or calendar to remember the last time your doctor prescribed a specific medication.

With a device small enough to fit on a keychain, pharmacists can now have access to patients’ medical records with a few keystrokes on the computer.

MedFlash is a USB storage device that can hold the personal health and medical records of you or your entire family. The device, which fits easily in the palm of the hand, has a flash drive that enables it to be plugged into any computer so that your records can be accessed.

The MedFlash Electronic Personal Health Record was created by Connectyx, a Palm City, Fla., company. A Web portal and 24/7 emergency-call-center access allows the user to review medical and health information any time of the day or night.

The device, which the manufacturer suggests be priced at $34.95, will be sold in all 188 Harris Teeter Stores that have a pharmacy. Harris Teeter Inc., is a major supermarket chain with headquarters in Matthews, N.C. The company operates in eight states in the Southeastern U.S.

“Harris Teeter’s customer base will greatly benefit from digitally storing their personal health records on our easy-to-use MedFlash drive,” said Ronn Schuman, president and CEO of Connectyx Technologies Holdings Group Inc.

Stored information on the MedFlash can be accessed on any Windows-based computer with complete privacy for the members. Other attributes about the device, according to the company, are:

* MedFlash has room for hundreds of pages of documents, including  MRIs, X-rays and EKGs.
* In an emergency, MedFlash can provide crucial information to medical personnel, even when the patient is unable to.
* The device is user-friendly; medical-history changes can be quickly updated.
* Prescription information can be easily accessed, thereby reducing the potential for drug interactions and medication erors.
* Personal information can be printed out and brought along on visits to the doctor, cutting the time required to complete medical forms.

In addition, MedFlash can be a lifesaver for travelers, caregivers or anyone who lives alone, and patients with disabilities can also benefit from using the device, the company says. Program updates are free to registered users.

For more information about the MedFlash, visit www.medflash.com.