I am doing a paper on technology in the nursing field and it made me wonder..why aren't electronic medical records linked on a national level? So, if you live in Missouri, but have to go to the ED in California, or, lets say that my doctor is in clinton missouri, but I go to the emergency room in warrensbuerg missouri. that is not going to show up in your records unless you tell your doctor about it and they request the information.
I had a family member who had a PCP, cardiologist, nephrologist, hemotologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and finally an oncologist. She also went to various EDs depending on the expected wait time. She passed away recently and I cant help but think that if the medical records were all linked that maybe she wouldnt have fallen through the cracks and the different members of her medical team would have had a better understanding of what was going on with her other doctors.
Crackheads. Well, actually, paranoid conspiracy theory weirdoes who think the government is going to track all their data. If an Opioid addict picks up a Vicodin Rx at Hospital A, they do not want hospital B being aware of that, otherwise there would be transparency, and someone might realize they are addicted. I seriously question anyone's motives who wishes to conceal their healthcare information. Seriously, are people worried that someone may find out that you had a tonsillectomy at the age of 6?
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
I am doing a paper on technology in the nursing field and it made me wonder..why aren't electronic medical records linked on a national level? So, if you live in Missouri, but have to go to the ED in California, or, lets say that my doctor is in clinton missouri, but I go to the emergency room in warrensbuerg missouri. that is not going to show up in your records unless you tell your doctor about it and they request the information.
I had a family member who had a PCP, cardiologist, nephrologist, hemotologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and finally an oncologist. She also went to various EDs depending on the expected wait time. She passed away recently and I cant help but think that if the medical records were all linked that maybe she wouldnt have fallen through the cracks and the different members of her medical team would have had a better understanding of what was going on with her other doctors.
It actually terrifies the hell out of me that my confidential health information is as accessible as it is. Right now almost anyone with access to a password can get into my health record. HIPAA only protects you when people honor it. It can't undo the damage done when that information is breached.
I may sound a bit paranoid - but several years ago when I went to the ER after a suicide attempt the people who were supposed to protect my information turned me into the BON. I never diverted narcotics, was never drunk on the job, but my husband took me to the hospital where I worked. Ultimately it all worked out as I am alive today - but in my small town I am forever identified as an "Impaired Nurse." and black-balled from working in certain institutions. I have moved on and made a good career for myself non-the-less and am sober over 10 years to boot but I recently had a resume rejected due to history of substance abuse and a liability for risk management. MY God the BON forgave me years ago - there is not even a blemish on my license. I am not on NURSYS or the OIG list because I have my lawyer check. How do they keep finding this out?
Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
Crackheads. Well, actually, paranoid conspiracy theory weirdoes who think the government is going to track all their data. If an Opioid addict picks up a Vicodin Rx at Hospital A, they do not want hospital B being aware of that, otherwise there would be transparency, and someone might realize they are addicted. I seriously question anyone's motives who wishes to conceal their healthcare information. Seriously, are people worried that someone may find out that you had a tonsillectomy at the age of 6?
There's a heck of a lot more information in medical records than just history. I can access SSNs (required for some of the paperwork I have to fill out for FDA tracked implants), insurance information, etc. Would I care if someone found out I had a tonsillectomy? No, but I'd sure be upset if someone got ahold of my SSN or insurance information and used it illegally.
I am doing a paper on technology in the nursing field and it made me wonder..why aren't electronic medical records linked on a national level? So, if you live in Missouri, but have to go to the ED in California, or, lets say that my doctor is in clinton missouri, but I go to the emergency room in warrensbuerg missouri. that is not going to show up in your records unless you tell your doctor about it and they request the information.
I had a family member who had a PCP, cardiologist, nephrologist, hemotologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and finally an oncologist. She also went to various EDs depending on the expected wait time. She passed away recently and I cant help but think that if the medical records were all linked that maybe she wouldnt have fallen through the cracks and the different members of her medical team would have had a better understanding of what was going on with her other doctors.
I have seen every specialist you named in this post and at least half a dozen more. My current specialists are all a part of the same system so they can see each other's notes. I like that. My Neuro-Oncologist should be able to see my Endocrinologist's notes and the notes of the Cardiologist he sent me to for what I told him before he sent me was far more likely to be a Neurological problem given my history. (Guess what the Cardiologist said?)
Anyway, even with my extensive medical history, I don't want anyone in Podunk, Nebraska to have access to my medical records. Sure if I find myself there and get taken to an ER unconscious it might be useful for them to be able to access it. Though in order to find out who I am, they'd have to look in my wallet and there is a card in my wallet with my medical history on it.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
In NC, there is a database that tracks all controlled substances. One cannot go to PCP and get xanax and then to the dentist and get valium or get oxy from one doctor and then vicodin from another physician. The only loophole that I have see is within the LTC/SNF system. They aren't always recorded.
I work in ortho so it is very important to know pain med history. Although illegal buying of narcs is an issue, We had a GSW come in and had intractable pain; SCREAMING for pain meds. Found out that the person had been taking about 500mg of oxy a DAY. How do treat that!?!?!?!? Ketamine.
Local HMOs and hospitals are good at linking up. Passwords are needed by non-member medical staff. Sign a medical release and it's done. I think that's the way it should be.
Why would you want every state linked? My God; can you imagine what harm could be done? Do you realize how easy it is to hack a system? Our government is hacked often, as they hack other places often. Just having my fingerprints on file and my cell phone conversations monitored is enough thank you.
Local HMOs and hospitals are good at linking up. Passwords are needed by non-member medical staff. Sign a medical release and it's done. I think that's the way it should be.
Why would you want every state linked? My God; can you imagine what harm could be done? Do you realize how easy it is to hack a system? Our government is hacked often, as they hack other places often. Just having my fingerprints on file and my cell phone conversations monitored is enough thank you.
Ok I work and live in Hawaii. Do you have any idea how insanely useful it would be to have access to all the tourists health records? For example the 70 year old hospice patient who wanted one last hurrah before dying? So many examples, I can't even begin to list them all ... even the drug allergy information alone! If you really think your banking or personal data are secure, you are blindly naïve. Someone could easily backtrack any poster on here to their ISP, and find out whatever they wanted.
Ok I work and live in Hawaii. Do you have any idea how insanely useful it would be to have access to all the tourists health records? For example the 70 year old hospice patient who wanted one last hurrah before dying? So many examples, I can't even begin to list them all ... even the drug allergy information alone! If you really think your banking or personal data are secure, you are blindly naïve. Someone could easily backtrack any poster on here to their ISP, and find out whatever they wanted.
Cheers
Big brother IS watching you and he is not amused!
Perhaps people with significant health problems should take responsibility for traveling with their health records.
hawaiicarl, BSN, RN
327 Posts
Crackheads. Well, actually, paranoid conspiracy theory weirdoes who think the government is going to track all their data. If an Opioid addict picks up a Vicodin Rx at Hospital A, they do not want hospital B being aware of that, otherwise there would be transparency, and someone might realize they are addicted. I seriously question anyone's motives who wishes to conceal their healthcare information. Seriously, are people worried that someone may find out that you had a tonsillectomy at the age of 6?