Because we do not have guaranteed medical insurance, I am at great risk of an unauthorized disclosure of my medical records may result in other insurers declining to quote me or quoting me higher rates. Further, such breaches may expose me to credit risks, denied credit, increased car insurance rates (based on impacted credit scores), and denials of employment (due to unscrupulous employers red-lining folks based on medical issues). Sure, some of these downstream practices are illegal, but that doesn't stop credit issuers, insurers and potential employers from violating the law. While not efficient, silo'ed medical records offer me greater control and privacy.
Jeff Nof OR7:57PM March 11, 2009
One of the biggest problems with computer med. records is that every doctor, hospital, insurance co., etc. has their own system for recording data. My home state of Maryland is trying to organize a common system for all in the state's health industry, which would be more efficient, reduce errors, etc. This should actually be done nationally by Dept. of HEW. Put everyone on the same page.
Charles Burtonof MD5:47PM March 11, 2009
I don't trust you, Nancy.
I don't trust you to give us the full picture nor the truth.
I do trust you to skew information for reasons that may vary. You are not an authority and cannot pose as one.
I do not trust you, Nancy.
notrustof DC5:22PM March 11, 2009
We have been reading all about this new added link I prefer to call "Hospitalist and E-Records." Here we go with added people and paper. Now we'll listen to how much smoother it all will run. Sometimes we seem to forget that when adding new pieces, again it comes down to how well the last to enter is! I'm willing to give anything a try but just in case "It Does Not Benefit The Issue, Get It Out Quickly Or Add To The Cost Perspective."
Bottom Line: "Someome must start watching the Warehouse Doors, Both Coming In And Going Out!" We do have a great country to live in but sooner or later the time comes for inventory. It takes teamwork to make our lifes systems work and it must work together. G-d Bless...
Franky and Breeze
J.M.A.of MO5:22PM March 11, 2009
I believe, with this technology, ANYONE can manipulate this data without consent of the patient! As a health care professional, I think we are going to regret this decision, as per previous comments above. (I think I better go to law school and trade my professions...oh, the tangle webs we will weave...)
VG, PhD, RPh and Psychologist
of 2:35PM March 11, 2009
As a physician, the concept of an EMR is wonderful, while I fear the reality will be painful and difficult for all. We need a common standard of interactivity between the many varied systems of hospitals, clinics and individual offices. The opportunity for fraud, ID theft and simple stupidity will be enormous. Bringing the EMR into the exam room will likely force the physician to adapt her routine of interacting with the patient to the design and format of the EMR itself, likely interfering with that interaction negatively.Finally, the cost of acquisition, maintenance and upgrades will be steep and largely uncompensated.
B. Fox, MDof NV2:13PM March 11, 2009
As an R.N. working with electronic medical records in the hospital, they at first glance were wonderful to see.
Fast, easy to ready, easy to access and clear once you learn how to use the system; the down side however is that if the computer is down for maintenance that night then the nurse is in the position of trying to hurry to get her charting in before the system goes down at midnight and comes back up at 08:00, which puts the patient care potentially in jeopardy depending on the dedication and judgement of the nurse.
Secondly if the electrical system of the hospital or the computer itself has problems the record that shift fails and becomes the focus of the nurse when patient care should be the focus each shift.
Thirdly although each hospital is supose to be hacker proof and each staff memember to use a password that is reliable this doesn't happen.
I personally know of a hospital that left themselves open to any any outsider wanting to access them unknowing, and when they sold off a building clinic they left all their records behind unknowningly in the rush.
For a system of healthcare that hasn't managed with paper records to attempt to go electronic, in my opinion; this is an attempt at trying to run before we've learned to walk, and a bad idea.
It sets us up, for the loss of essential data and the exclusion of data; or the addition of data, from anyone whom can type.
We're opening the door to technology that prevents handwritten notes, and verfifiable input (with personal signiture) that can be brought before a judge, and closing the door on "without a doubt" data.
"Academic Claims to Find Sensitive Medical Info Exposed on Peer-to-Peer Networks
By Kim Zetter EmailMarch 02, 2009
An academic says he found thousands of sensitive medical records leaked over peer-to-peer networks from computers at hospitals, clinics and elsewhere."
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Jeff N of OR 7:57PM March 11, 2009
Charles Burton of MD 5:47PM March 11, 2009
notrust of DC 5:22PM March 11, 2009
J.M.A. of MO 5:22PM March 11, 2009
of 2:35PM March 11, 2009
B. Fox, MD of NV 2:13PM March 11, 2009
DianaRay19 of SC 12:31AM March 11, 2009
Luther of IL 7:26PM March 10, 2009